Indan-1,3-diones

ABSTRACT

Bicyclic compounds useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of allergic diseases, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, methods of administration of the compositions, intermediates useful in preparing the compounds and coversion of the intermediates to the bicyclic compounds. Examples of compounds are substituted coumarins and indanediones and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

This is a Divisional of our co-pending application, Ser. No. 780,246 filed Mar. 22, 1976 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,192, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 722,868, filed Sept. 13, 1976, now abandoned.

This invention relates to bicyclic compounds which are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of allergic diseases.

It is known that some types of cells are activated by antibody-antigen combinations and release substances which mediate allergic response. It has been reported that SRS-A (the slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis) released from such cells which have been activated by antibody-antigen combinations plays an important role in the development of allergic and asthmatic phenomena.

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,936,504, 3,925,557, 3,988,476, 3,978,231, 3,974,289 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 572,226 we have disclosed bicyclic cyano and nitro compounds which have useful activity in that they inhibit the release of mediator substances from cells which have been activated by the type of antibody-antigen combination described above. We have now discovered that compounds of formula (I) below have useful activity in mammals in that they not only protect against the antibody antigen release of SRS-A and other mediators of the allergic response but also they inhibit the action of SRS-A. These compounds are therefore useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases in which allergic mediator substances control the symptoms, for example bronchial asthma, rhinitis, hay fever, allergic eczema, etc.

Accordingly, this invention provides a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein one of A₁ or A₂ is a group of formula (II): ##STR2## and R₁, R₂ and the one of A₁ or A₂ not representing group of formula (II) are the same or different and represent hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl or, the one of A₁ or A₂ which does not represent a group of formula (II) taken together with one of R₁ or R₂ to which it is adjacent represents a 1,4-buta-1,3-dienylene group or an alkylene one group containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms inclusive provided that at least one of R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ is hydrogen; E represents oxygen or a covalent bond, G represents nitro or cyano; X is oxygen or a methylene group and Q represents a linear alkylene group containing from 1 to 7 carbon atoms inclusive, one methylene group within the group Q, other than a methylene covalently bound to an ether oxygen, being optionally substituted with hydroxyl and R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ each representing hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, cyano, carboxyl, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy carbonyl, lower acyl, lower acyloxy, mono- and di-lower alkyl amino, mono- and di-lower acylamino, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, phenoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, or any two of R₃ to R₇ when on adjacent carbon atoms together represent an alkylene group containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms inclusive, or a 1,4-buta-1,3-dienylene group.

When used herein the terms lower alkyl lower alkenyl and lower alkynyl lower alkoxy and lower acyl mean such groups containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive.

The compounds of formula (I) may exist in a number of tautomeric forms, and it is to be understood that whenever in the specification we refer to compounds of the formula (I) we mean to include tautomeric forms thereof. The tautomeric forms predominant for a particular compound of formula (I) are dependent on the nature of the substituent.

When E represents a bond, the predominant tautomers include: ##STR3## When E represents an oxygen atom, the predominant tautomers include: ##STR4## Compounds of formula (I) where G is nitro also may exist in the following additional tautomeric forms: ##STR5## Examples of suitable lower alkyl substituents falling within the definitions of R₁ to R₇ are methyl, ethyl, n- and iso-propyl, n-, iso and t-butyl.

Examples of suitable lower alkenyl groups represented by one of A₁ or A₂ and R₁ to R₇ are 2-propenyl; 2- and 3-butenyl; 2-, 3- and 4-pentenyl; 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-hexenyl; 1-, and 2-methyl-2-propenyl; 1-, 2-, and 3-methyl-2- and 3-butenyl; 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-methyl-2, 3-, and 4-pentenyl; 1-, and 2-ethyl-1-propenyl; 1-, 2- and 3-ethyl-2- and 3-butenyl.

Examples of suitable lower alkynyl groups represented by one of A₁ or A₂ and R₁ to R₇ are 2-propynyl; 2- and 3-butynyl; 2-, 3- and 4-pentynyl; 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-hexynyl; 1-, and 2-methyl-2-propynyl; 1-, 2-, and 3-methyl-2- and 3-butynyl; 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-methyl-2-, 3-, and 4-pentynyl; 1-, and 2-ethyl-2-propynyl; 1-, 2-, and 3-ethyl-2- and 3-butynyl.

Examples of suitable lower alkoxy substituents falling within the definitions of one of A₁ or A₂ and R₁ to R₇ are methoxy, ethoxy, n- and iso-propoxy, n, iso- and t-butoxy.

Examples of suitable lower acyl groups included within the definition of R₃ to R₇ are acetyl, propionyl, n- and iso-butyryl. Examples of lower alkoxy carbonyl substituents included within the definition of R₃ to R₇ are methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, n- and iso-propoxycarbonyl, n- and iso-butoxycarbonyl. Examples of lower acyloxy groups falling within the definition of R₃ to R₇ are acetoxy, propionoxy, butyryloxy, and pentanoyloxy. These previously mentioned examples of lower alkyl and lower acyl groups are also suitable as examples of the lower alkyl, and lower acyl groups contained in the mono- and di-lower alkyl and lower acyl amino substituents included within the definition of R₃ to R₇. The suitable halogen atoms included within the definition of R₃ to R₇ are fluorine, chlorine and bromine. The most suitable halogen is fluorine.

The alkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, acyl, acyloxy, and alkoxy carbonyl groups represented by one of A₁ or A₂ and R₁ to R₇ are suitably unbranched. Where a highly substituted compound of formula (I) is required it will be appreciated that the substituents are to be chosen for steric compatability. For example where two or three of the substituents are groups of complex stereochemistry, such as highly branched lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or similar groups, then these will not occupy adjacent positions.

Examples of linear alkylene groups represented by Q are methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, pentylene, hexylene or heptylene. The optional hydroxyl group may occupy any position on any such alkylene groups other than methylene bonded to an ether oxygen. Generally the optional hydroxy substituent enhances water solubility. It is appreciated in this regard that when a methylene within the group Q is substituted with hydroxyl, then the methylene so substituted is asymmetric. It is therefore to be understood that when the compounds of this invention are referred to herein then mixtures of enantiomers as well as pure enantiomers are included. Suitably at least one of R₃ to R₇ represents hydrogen, and more suitably two of R₃ to R₇ are hydrogen. The remaining substituents are all different.

Within the general scope of the compounds of this invention there are certain more suitable subgroups of compounds, depending upon the nature of the substituents A₁, A₂ and R₁ to R₇. Thus a first more suitable subgroup consists of the compounds of formula (I) wherein R₁, R₂ and one of A₁ or A₂ which is not a group of formula (II) represent hydrogen or lower alkyl, the other one of A₁ or A₂ and R₃ to R₇ are as previously defined. More suitably R₂ is lower alkyl, and R₁ and one of A₁ or A₂ are both hydrogen.

A second more suitable group of compounds falling within the general scope of this invention are those in which the phenyl ring of the substituent of formula (II) bears no more than two polar groups.

This class of compound is of the formula (I) and R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ are as previously defined and R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower acyl, lower acyloxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl cyano, carboxy, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, amino, mono- and di-lower alkylamino, mono- and di-lower acylamino, R₄ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower acyl, lower acyloxy or lower alkoxycarbonyl and R₅ is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group; and in addition any two of R₃, R₄ and R₅ when on adjacent carbon atoms represent an alkylene group containing from 3 to 5 carbon atoms inclusive or a 1,4,-but-1,3-dienylene group, and R₆ and R₇ are both hydrogen.

A third suitable group of compounds falling within the scope of this invention are those in which the phenyl ring of the substituent (II) bears a single lower alkyl substituent i.e. R₃ is lower alkyl and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen. Particularly suitable lower alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl and n-propyl. Most advantageously this lower alkyl group occupies position 2' of the phenyl ring.

A fourth suitable group of compounds falling within the scope of this invention are those in which the phenyl ring of substituent (II) bears a single fluorine atom, i.e. R₃ is fluorine and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen. Most suitably the fluorine substituent occupies position 4' of the phenyl ring.

A fifth group of compounds falling within the scope of this invention are those in which R₃ is a fluorine atom at position 4' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II) R₄ is a lower alkyl group most suitably propyl, at position 2', and R₅ to R₇ are all hydrogen atoms.

A particularly suitable combination of groups for inclusion in the phenyl ring of the substituent (II) and which confer a favourable level of activity consists of one polar group, one hydrophilic group e.g. R₄ is hydroxyl and one hydrophobic group e.g. R₅ is lower alkyl, R₆ and R₇ are both hydrogen. It is particularly suitable in such a combination that the hydroxyl group R₃ occupies position 3', the lower acyl group R₄ occupies position 4', and the lower alkyl group R₅ occupies position 2' of the phenyl ring. In this combination R₄ is most suitably acetyl and R₅ is most suitably n-propyl.

The positions referred to by number in the phenyl ring of substituent (II) are as indicated below: ##STR6## A further suitable group of compounds falling within the scope of this invention, bear no substituents in the phenyl ring of substituent (II) and are of the general formula (I), wherein one of A₁ or A₂ is a substituent of formula (II), in which R₃ to R₇ are all hydrogen, and R₁ and R₂ and the one of A₁ or A₂ which is not a substituent of formula (II) are all hydrogen.

Within this last mentioned group of compounds, those compounds of the general formula (I), wherein R₁ and R₂ also represent hydrogen, are preferred for their ease of synthesis. Preferably A₂ represents a substituent of formula (II)

Within the general scope of compounds falling within the scope of this invention, G may be nitro or cyano and E may be a bond or oxygen. Compounds of formula (I) where G is nitro have a more favourable level of activity than those wherein G is cyano. Those compounds of formula (I) in which E is a bond have in general a more favourable level of activity as compared with compounds in which E is oxygen. Also within the general scope of the invention X may represent methylene or an oxygen atom. Where X is methylene the compounds where Q is also methylene have useful oral absorbtion properties. Where Q is ethylene, propylene, butylene or pentylene one methylene group may be optionally substituted with hydroxyl. Compounds where X is oxygen have in general a more favourable level of intrinsic anti-allergic activity.

Where X is an oxygen atom Q is suitably methylene, but more suitably is ethylene. Similarly where Q is propylene, butylene, pentylene or hexylene one methylene may be optionally substituted by hydroxyl, a particularly suitable group being 2-hydroxy propylene.

Examples of specific compounds of formula (I) wherein G is nitro, E is oxygen and X is a methylene group, are:

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(2-phenylethoxy) coumarin,

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(2-phenylethoxy) coumarin,

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-phenylpropoxy) coumarin, and

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(4-phenylbutoxy) coumarin.

7-(2-[4-fluorophenyl]ethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-acetylphenyl]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin,

7-(4-[4-chlorophenyl]butoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-hydroxy-7-(4-[4-methylphenyl]butoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(2-[2-n-propyl-4-fluorophenyl]-ethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

Of these compounds;

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(2-phenyl ethoxy) coumarin and

7-(2-[2-n-propyl-4-fluorophenyl]-ethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin are particularly preferred.

Examples of compounds of formula (I) wherein G is nitro, E is oxygen and X is oxygen are;

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(2-phenoxyethoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(6-phenoxyhexoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(5-phenoxypentoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(4-phenoxybutoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(6-phenoxyhexoxy) coumarin and

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(2-phenoxyethoxy) coumarin

7-(4-chlorophenoxymethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(2-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]ethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy)-8-n-propylcoumarin

7-(3-[4-Chlorophenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Carboxyphenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Carbomethoxyphenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetylphenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-methyl-2-nitrophenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[2-methylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Carboxyphenoxy]-2-hydroxy-propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-phenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-ethyl-5-hydroxyphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

6-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propyl-phenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-3-[3-hydroxy-4-propionyl-2-n-propyl-phenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[3-methylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-methylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-methoxyphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Fluorophenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Cyanophenoxy]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-phenylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-[5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyloxy]propoxy) coumarin

4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-propyl-phenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3-nitro-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy)coumarin

6-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-phenoxy-propoxy)coumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-8-methyl-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxyl]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitro-8-n-propylcoumarin

7-(2-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-6-nitro-2-n-propylphenoxyethoxy]-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin, and

7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-6-nitro-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-8-methyl-3-nitrocoumarin.

Preferred compounds are:

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxy propoxy)-4-hydroxy-8-methyl-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-8-n-propyl-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxy propoxy-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[4-fluorophenoxy]-propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[2-methyl]propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

7-(3-[2-propyl-4-fluorophenoxy]-2-hydroxy propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin and

4-hydroxy-3-nitro-6-phenoxyhexoxy coumarin

The most preferred being the compound:

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy-4-hydroxy-3-nitro-8-n-propyl coumarin

Examples of specific compounds of formula (I) wherein G is nitro, E is covalent bond and X is methylene are:

5-(2-[4-fluorophenyl]ethoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione

5-(3-[4-acetylphenyl]propoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione and

2-nitro-5-(3-[2-n-propylphenyl]butoxy-indan-1,3-dione

Examples of specific compounds of formula (I) wherein G is nitro E is a covalent bond and X is oxygen are

2-nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione

2-nitro-5-(2-phenoxyethoxy)indan-1,3-dione

2-nitro-5-(5-phenoxypentoxy)indan-1,3-dione

2-nitro-5-(3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-indan-1,3-dione

2-nitro-5-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)indan-1,3-dione

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione and

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.

The compound is

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione, and

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy-2-nitro-4-n-propylindan-1,3-dione.

are particularly preferred.

Examples of particular compounds of formula (I) falling within the scope of this invention where G is cyano E is oxygen and X is methylene are:

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-6-(2-phenylethoxy)coumarin

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(2-phenylethoxy)coumarin

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(3-phenylpropoxy)coumarin

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(4-phenylbutoxy)coumarin

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(5-phenylpentoxy)coumarin and

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]butoxy)-3-cyano-4-hydroxy coumarin

Examples of compounds of formula (I) falling within the scope of this invention wherein G is cyano, E is oxygen and X is oxygen are:

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(3-[2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy]propoxy)coumarin

3-cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(3-[4-fluorophenoxy]propoxy)coumarin

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-3-cyano-4-hydroxy coumarin

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-cyano-4-hydroxy coumarin and

7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propoxyphenoxy]propoxy-3-cyano-4-hydroxy-8-n-propyl coumarin

Examples of compounds of formula (I) where G is cyano, E is a covalent bond and X is methylene are:

2-cyano-5-(2-phenylethoxy)indan-1,3-dione

2-cyano-5-(3-phenylpropoxy)indan-1,3-dione and

2-cyano-5-(4-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propyl phenyl]butoxy)indan-1,3-dione

Examples of compounds of formula (I) where G is cyano, E is a covalent bond and X is oxygen are:

2-cyano-5-(3-[2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy]propoxy)indan-1,3-dione

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]propoxy)-2-cyanoindan-1,3-dione

5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-cyanoindan-1,3-dione

2-cyano-5-methyl-6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)-indan-1,3-dione.

From the discussion of tautomeric forms it will be appreciated that the bicyclic system includes an acidic 1,3-dicarbonyl

This system is capable of forming salts with cationic species. Where it is required to use a compound of formula (I) for medicinal purposes in the form of a salt it is salified with a pharmaceutically acceptable cation.

Examples of suitable salts of the compound of formula (I) are alkali metal salts particularly sodium and potassium, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium, the aluminium salt and salts with organic bases such as amines or amino compounds, for example N-methyl-D-glucamine.

Where the phenyl ring of substituent (II) contains amino groups these will be able to form acid addition salts with suitable pharmaceutically acceptable anionic species. Examples include the chloride, bromide, sulphate and citrate.

For the purposes of administration, the compounds of this invention may be presented in several dosage forms.

According to this invention there is also provided a pharmaceutical composition having SRS-A inhibiting activity, comprising a compound of formula (I) as defined above or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Examples and preferred values of A₁, A₂ and R₁ to R₇ are as previously discussed.

The compositions of this invention may be presented as a microfine powder for insufflation (in such a case the particles of active compound suitably have diameters of less than 50 microns, preferably less than 10 microns) or in the form of an aerosol or a solution for a nebulizer. The compositions may also be presented with a sterile liquid carrier for injection, or in an ointment, cream, lotion or a solution for topical application, or as suppositories.

Compounds of formula (I) which are active when given by the oral route, may be compounded in the form of syrups, tablets, capsules, pills and the like. Preferably the compositions are in unit dosage form, or in a form in which the patient can administer to himself a single dose. For example, when the composition is in the form of a tablet, pill, linguet, powder, troche or lozenge, any suitable pharmaceutical carrier may be used for formulating solid compositions, for example, magnesium stearate, starch, lactose, glucose, rice, flour and chalk. The composition may also be in the form of an ingestible capsule (e.g. of gelatin) to contain the compound, or in the form of a syrup, a liquid solution or a suspension. Suitable liquid pharmaceutical carriers include ethyl alcohol, glycerine, saline and water together with flavouring or colouring agents to form syrups. A suitable dosage unit might contain from 0.1 to 500 mg of active ingredient. The effective dose of compound (I) depends on the particular compound employed, but is in general in the range of from 0.01 mg/kg/day to 100 mg/kg of body weight per day.

Where appropriate, small amounts of anti-asthmatics and bronchodilators, for example sympathomimetic amines such as isoprenaline, isoetharine, salbutamol, phenylephrine and ephedrine; xanthine derivatives such as theophylline and aminophylline; corticosteroids such as prednisolone and adrenal stimulants such as ACTH may be included. As is common practice, the compositions will usually be accompanied by written or printed directions for use in the medical treatment concerned, in this case as an anti-allergic for treatment of, for example asthma, hay-fever or rhinitis.

Compounds of formula (I) where G is nitro may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (III) or a salt thereof: ##STR7## wherein A₁, A₂, R₁ and R₂ are as defined above with respect to formula (I), with a nitrating agent. This method is a further aspect of the invention. Nitration may be effected by any conventional nitrating agent for example:

(i) acetic acid and concentrated nitric acid or

(ii) fuming nitric acid in chloroform and/or ether.

The temperature at which the reaction is performed is dependent upon the nitrating reagent employed. In order to avoid nitration of the phenyl ring of the substituent of formula (II): ##STR8## it is most preferable to use a temperature of less than 10° C. and a reaction time up to 90 minutes.

Preferably the nitrating agent is fuming nitric acid in chloroform and the reaction is performed at a temperature range from -5° C., to +5° C., most preferably at 0° C., for between 15 and 90 minutes.

Where the intermediate is of formula (III) in which E is oxygen and the phenyl ring of the substituent of formula (II) bears one or more electron donating substituents, then it is possible to introduce a nitro group into the phenyl ring and the nucleus in the same reaction.

Accordingly, this invention also provides a method for preparing a compound of formula (I) which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (III) wherein R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ are as previously defined with reference to formula (I) and R₃ to R₇ of the substituent (II) ##STR9## are as defined with respect for formula (I) provided that at least one of R₃ to R₇ are hydrogen and at least one of R₃ to R₇ is an electron donating group.

Examples of electron donating groups inclde lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, and lower alkoxy.

In these circumstances the reaction is carried out with a large excess of nitric acid at a temperature from 0° to room temperature and for a period in excess of 90 minutes.

Alternatively, the compounds of formula (I) where E is oxygen and G is nitro excluding those bearing an amino group or substituted amino group in the phenyl ring of substituent (II) may be prepared by nitrosation of the intermediates of formula (III) and subsequently oxidizing the resultant nitroso compound.

Accordingly, also included within the scope of this invention is a process for the preparation of the compound of formula (I) which process comprises nitrosation of a compound of formula (III) wherein R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ are as defined with respect to formula (I), provided that none of R₃ to R₇ represent amino or a substituted amino group, with an alkali metal nitrite in the presence of a lower alkanoic acid and thereafter oxidizing the nitroso compound.

The nitrosation reaction is performed in a polar solvent at a temperature between room temperature and 60° C. Suitably the alkali metal nitrite is sodium or potassium nitrite. And suitably the lower alkanoic acid is acetic acid. Suitably the oxidation step may be performed in situ by rapidly stirring or rapidly passing air through the nitrosation product.

Compounds of formula (I) wherein G is nitro and E is a bond may be prepared by a base catalysed re-arrangement of the corresponding nitromethylene phthalide derivative.

Accordingly the invention also provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (IV): ##STR10## wherein R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ are as defined with respect to formula (I) with a tertiary base, in the presence of an aprotic solvent and thereafter where desired converting the product thus formed into a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

By a tertiary base we mean a tertiary amine or heterocyclic aromatic amine.

Suitable tertiary bases include pyridine, picoline and tri-lower alkyl amines such as triethyl amine which is preferred.

Suitable aprotic solvents include halogenated hydrocarbons such as chloroform and carbontetrachloride, and other conventional inert solvents such as lower alkyl ethers, dioxan and tetrahydrofuran. Alternatively the solvent may be the base itself.

Most suitably the reaction is carried out at room temperature.

A suitable method for the preparation of the intermediates (III) where E is oxygen is the condensation of an appropriately substituted o-hydroxyacetophenone (V) with diethyl carbonate in the presence of sodium hydride.

The desired substituent (II) is introduced into an appropriate dihydroxyacetophenone (VI) by coupling with a halide for example, a chloride or bromide of the general formula ArY in the presence of potassium carbonate in acetone as shown in scheme 1. In scheme 1 R₁ and R₂ are as defined with reference to formula (I) and A represents the one of A₁ or A₂ which does not represent the substituent of formula (II). Ar signifies a group of formula ##STR11## and Y is chlorine or bromine. ##STR12##

Another suitable method for the preparation of intermediates of the formula (III) where E is oxygen is as shown in Scheme 2 to couple halide ArY with a hydroxy-4-iminocoumarin (VII) using sodium hydride in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The resultant 4-imino-coumarin (VIII) is subsequently hydrolysed to the corresponding 4-hydroxycoumarin (III) with strong acid. The hydroxy-4-imino-coumarins (VII) are made by standard methods. For example, 7-hydroxy-4-iminocoumarin is made from ethylcyanoacetate and resorcinol. This method is particularly useful for the preparation of 7-aryloxy alkyleneoxy coumarins of the general formula (IX): ##STR13## wherein X, Q, A₁ and R₁ to R₇ are as defined with respect to formula (I) above, especially when Q is substituted by hydroxyl.

A further method for the preparation of intermediates of the formula (III) is shown in the Scheme 3. A halide ArY for example a chloride is coupled with a hydroxy-4-benzyloxycoumarin (X) using sodium hydride ##STR14## in dimethyl formamide (DMF).

Alternatively, where Y is bromine the reaction may be performed using potassium carbonate in acetone or butanone. The resultant 4-hydroxycoumarin is obtained after removal of the benzyl group by hydrogenation with hydrogen and palladium. In the scheme R₁, R₂, A, A₁, A₂ and Ar are as defined with reference to scheme 1 and Bz means benzyl.

Alternatively the intermediate (III) may be made by coupling an epoxide of the formula (XII) with either a 4-iminocoumarin of formula (VII) or 4-benzyloxycoumarin of formula (X). These two routes are illustrated in Scheme 4 below. The 4-hydroxycoumarin of formula (XIII) is liberated either by hydrolysis of the iminocoumarin (XIV) or hydrogenolysis of the benzyloxycoumarin (XV) This 4-hydroxycoumarin falls within the definition of formula (IV). In Scheme 4 the symbols are as previously defined in the text and n is an integer from 1 to 4. ##STR15##

The intermediates of formula (IV) are prepared by coupling a suitable halide ArY with a dimethyl hydroxyphthalate (XVI) using a suitable base such as potassium carbonate and converting the resulting ester (XVII) to the anhydride (XVIII). This anhydride is then converted with nitromethane and base, to the 2-nitroacetylbenzoic acid derivative (XIX) which is then dehydrated.

This is illustrated in Scheme 5 below: ##STR16##

The compounds of formulae (XVIII) and (IV) prepared in this sequence will be in isomeric mixture as shown. This mixture may be used without separation since both isomers give the same 2-nitroindan-1,3-dione. Where the halide ArY contains active groups such as hydroxy or acetyl which may interfere with the coupling reaction these are optionally protected with standard protecting groups.

Where the substituent A contains groups which are susceptible to acylation, the dehydration reaction is carried out with a mild dehydrating reagent such as NH'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide.

A further suitable method for the preparation of the intermediate (IV) is to couple the aralkyl-halide Ar Y to a hydroxynitromethylenephthalide (XX) ##STR17## by a method analogous to that for the preparation of the diester (XVII) This method is also particularly suitable where the substituent A contains groups susceptible to acylation.

The intermediate (III) where E is a bond may be prepared by condensing the diester (XVII) with ethylacetate and strong base. Where the substituent A of the diester (XVII) contains active groups as hydroxy and/or acetyl which would interfere with the condensation reaction these are optionally protected by conventional protecting groups which are removed after the indan-1,3-dione nucleus has been formed.

The diester of formula (XVII) and the intermediates of formulae (IV) in which the alkylene chain Q of the substituent II includes a hydroxyl group, may be prepared by coupling either the dimethyl hydroxy phthalate (XVI) or the hydroxy nitromethylenephthalides (XX) with epoxide (XII).

This coupling reaction is carried out in a polar aprotic solvent such as dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of a strong base such as sodium hydride. If the epoxide contains any activated substituents such as acetyl and/or hydroxy which may interfere in the coupling reaction these are optionally protected with standard protecting groups.

Compounds of formula (I) where G is cyano and E is oxygen and their salts are prepared by reacting an activated carbonyl compound of the formula (XXI) ##STR18## wherein R₁ and R₂, A₁ and A₂ are as previously defined and D represents an activated carbonyl group, with a carbanion of formula NC-CH-R.sup.⊖, wherein R represents a carboxylic acid ester group, and thereafter where desired converting the compound of formula (I) thus formed, to a salt.

The carbanion may be prepared by the reaction of the compound NC-CH₂ -R with a base. Suitable bases for this purpose are sodium ethoxide and sodium hydride.

The group D represents an activated carbonyl of formula COZ where Z is chlorine or bromine, or the residue of a mixed anhydride. Z preferably represents chlorine.

The nature of the carboxylic ester group R is not critical to the success of the reaction, but we have found that alkyl esters, wherein the alkyl moiety contains one to four carbon atoms, such as the ethyl ester, are particularly suitable.

The reaction is preferably carried out in an inert, anhydrous solvent. Suitable solvents include simple ethers such as diethylether, dioxan and tetrahydrofuran.

The compounds of formula (XXI) are prepared from dihydroxy benzoic acid esters of formula (XXII) as shown in scheme 6 below wherein A, A₁, A₂, R₁, R₂ and ArY are as defined in Scheme 1. ##STR19##

The substituent of formula (II) is introduced by coupling the halide Ar Y where Y is chlorine, bromine or iodine, with the methyl dihydroxybenzoate of formula (XXII). The methyl hydroxy benzoate of formula (XXIII) is hydrolysed and acylated, and the free acid group is then converted to a suitable activated carbonyl derivative such as an acyl halide, with a suitable halogenating agent such as thionyl chloride or bromide, or to an activated anhydride.

Compounds of the formula (I) and their salts wherein E is a bond and G is cyano are prepared by reacting a compound of formula (XXVI): ##STR20## wherein A₁, A₂, R₁ and R₂ are as defined with respect to formula (I) and R₈ and R₉ are lower alkyl groups, with acetonitrile in the presence of a base, and thereafter where desired converting the compound of formula (I) to a salt.

Suitable bases include alkali metal hydrides, in particular sodium hydride, and alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of lower alkanols; in particular sodium methoxide and ethoxide. R₈ and R₉ are suitably methyl or ethyl.

The intermediates (XXVI) may be prepared by an alkylation method analogous to that for the preparation of the compounds of formula (XVII)

Alternatively, the compounds of formula (I) wherein E represents a bond may be prepared by rearranging a cyanomethylene-phthalide (XXVII) ##STR21## wherein A₁, A₂, R₁ and R₂ are as defined with respect to formula (I) with a base, and thereafter where desired converting the compound of formula (I) thus formed to a salt.

The most suitable bases for this purpose are alkali metal and alkaline earth metal lower alkoxides. The intermediates of formula (XXVII) may be prepared by hydrolysing and dehydrating the ester (XXVI) to form the corresponding phthalic anhydride, which is then reacted with cyanoacetic acid and a tertiary base such as pyridine.

Alternatively, the intermediates (XXVII) may be prepared from a suitable azido naphthaquinone (XXVIII). ##STR22## by the method analogous to that disclosed in our Offenlegungsschrift No. 2519713.

It is to be understood that suitable and preferred definition for A₁, A₂ and R₁ to R₇ when representing substituents on compounds of formula (I) apply equally to A₁, A₂ and R₁ to R₇ when representing substituents on the intermediates (III) (IV) (XXI) (XXVI) and (XXVII) in the foregoing discussion.

The following examples illustrate the preparation and properties of some compounds falling within the scope of this invention.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 2-Hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) acetophenone

A mixture of 1-bromo-3-phenoxypropane (21.5 g; 0.1 mole), 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone (15.2 g; 0.1 mole) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (20.8 g; 0.15 mole) in dry acetone (300 ml) was stirred at reflux for 24 hours when tlc indicated complete reaction. After cooling the potassium salts were removed by filtration and the filtrate evaporated to a pink solid. Recrystallisation from ethanol in the presence of charcoal gave 21.94 g (77%) of a white solid of tlc purity, m.p. 82°-82.5°; νmax (mull) 1618, 1600, 1595 cm⁻¹ ; τ(CDCl₃); 7.73(2H, quintet, J 6.3 Hz); 7.48(3H,s); 5.85(2H, t, J 6.3 Hz); 5.79(3H, t, J 6.3 Hz); 3.54(2H, m); 3.22-2.38(5H, complex m); 2.37(1H, d, J 9.5 Hz); 1 low field exchangeable proton. (Found: C, 71.28; H, 6.58; C₁₇ H₁₈ O₄ requires; C, 71.31; H, 6.34%).

In a similar manner were made the examples in Table 1.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound       m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                         __________________________________________________________________________     2    2-Hydroxy-4-(2-phenyl-   Found; C,74.80; H,6.17;                               ethoxy) acetophenone                                                                          69   45   C.sub.16 H.sub.16 O.sub.3                                                      requires; C,74.98; H,6.29                        3    2-Hydroxy-5-(2-phenyl-                                                                        36   21   Found; C,74.99; H,.35;                                ethoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.16 H.sub.16 O.sub.3                                                      requires; C,74.98; H,6.29                        4    2-Hydroxy-4-(3-phenyl-                                                                        74-77                                                                               83   Found; C,75.47; H,6.87;                               propoxy) acetophenone    C.sub.17 H.sub.18 O.sub.3                                                      requires; C,75.53; H,6.71                        5    2-Hydroxy-5-(3-phenyl-                                                                        34-35                                                                               54   Found; C,75.82; H,6.90;                               propoxy) acetophenone    C.sub.17 H.sub.18 O.sub.3                                                      requires; 75.53; H,6.71                          6    2-Hydroxy-4-(4-phenyl-                                                                        55   59   Found; C,75.95; H,7.00;                               butoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.3                                                      requires; C,76.03; H,7.09                        7    4-(4-chlorophenyl]                                                                            73-75                                                                               71   Found; C,68.17; H,6.33;                               butoxy)-2-hydroxy-       Cl,11.25; C.sub.18 H.sub.19 ClO.sub.3                 acetophenone             requires; C,67.81; H,6.01;                                                     Cl, 11.12                                        8    2-Hydroxy-4-(4-[4-methyl-                                                                     69-70                                                                               72   Found; C,76.22; H,7.59;                               phenyl]butoxy) acetophene                                                                               C.sub.19 H.sub.22 O.sub.3                                                      requires; C,76.57; H,7.38                        9    2-Hydroxy-4-(2-phenoxy-                                                                       113-134                                                                             62   Found; C,70.49; H,6.00;                               ethoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.16 H.sub.16 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,70.57; H,5.92                        10   2-Hydroxy-5-(2-phenoxy-                                                                       133-114                                                                             43   Found; C,70.58; H,5.94;                               ethoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.16 H.sub.16 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,70,57; H,5.92                        11   2-Hydroxy-5-(3-phenoxy-                                                                       87-88                                                                               70   Found; C,71.34; H,6.50;                               ethoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.17 H.sub.18 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,71.31; H,6.34                        12   2-Hydroxy-4-(4-phenoxy-                                                                       95-96                                                                               87   Found; C,72.06; H,6.83;                               butoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,71.98; H,6.71                        13   2-Hydroxy-4-(5-phenoxy-                                                                       51-52                                                                               62.5 Found; C,72.34; H,7.07;                               pentoxy) acetophenone    C.sub.19 H.sub.22 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.59; H,7.05                        14   2-Hydroxy-5-(5-phenoxy-                                                                       45   78   Found; C,72.77; H,7.21;                               pentoxy) acetophenone    C.sub.19 H.sub.22 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.59; H,7.05                        15   2-Hydroxy-4-(6-phenoxy-                                                                       71-74                                                                               69   Found; C,72.98; H,7.16;                               hexoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.20 H.sub.24 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,73.15; H,7.37                        16   2-Hydroxy-5-(6-phenoxy-                                                                       78   43   Found; C,71.80; H,7.31;                               hexoxy) acetophenone     C.sub.20 H.sub.24 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,73.15; H,7.37                        17   4-(3-[4-chlorophenoxy-                                                                        82-83                                                                               80   Found; C,63.36; H,5.41;                               acetophenone             Cl,10.99; C.sub.17 H.sub.17 ClO.sub.4            18   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[4-methyl-                                                                     85-87                                                                               67   Found; C,72.32; H,7.01;                               phenoxy] propoxy) aceto- C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.4                             phenone                                                                   19   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[3-methyl-                                                                     64   80   Found; C,71.93; H,6.95;                               phenoxy] propoxy) aceto- C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.4                             phenone                  requires; C,71.98; H,6.71                        20   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[3-methyl-                                                                     64   65   Found; C,72.28; H,6.77;                               phenoxy] propoxy) aceto- C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.4                             phenone                  requires; C,71.98; H,6.71                        21   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[4-                                                                            75-76                                                                               59   Found; C,68.14; H,6.51;                               methoxyphenoxy] propoxy) C.sub.18 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                             acetophenone             requires; C,68.34; H,6.37                        22   4-(3-[4-Fluorophenoxy]                                                                        70-72                                                                               59   Found; C,67.24; H,5.61;                               propoxy)-2-hydroxyaceto- C.sub.17 H.sub.17 FO.sub.4                            phenone                  requires; C,67.11; H,5.59                        23   4-(3-[4-Cyanophenoxy]                                                                         131-133                                                                             65   Found; C,69.26; H,5.67;                               propoxy)-2-hydroxyaceto- N,4.22; C.sub.18 H.sub.17 NO.sub.4                    phenone                  requires; C,69.45; H,5.47;                                                     N,4.50                                           24   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[4-                                                                            181-121                                                                             72   Found; c,76.32; H,6.44;                               phenylphenoxyl] propoxy) C.sub.23 H.sub.22 O.sub.4                             acetophenone             requires; C,76.24; H,6.08                        25   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-[5,6,7,8-                                                                      80-82                                                                               59   Found; C,74.11; H,7.11;                               tetrahydro-2-naphtyloxy] C.sub.21 H.sub.22 O.sub.4                             propoxy) acetophenone    requires; C,74.12; H,7.06                        26   2-Hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxy-                                                                       67-68                                                                               84   Found; C,73.05; H,7.57;                               propoxy)-3-n-propyl-     C.sub.20 H.sub.24 O.sub.4                             acetophene               requires; C,73.15; H,7.37                        27   5-Ethyl-2-hydroxy-4-(3-                                                                       60.5-                                                                               74   Found; C,72.45; H,7.20;                               phenoxypropoxy) aceto-                                                                        61.5      C.sub.19 H.sub.22 O.sub.4                             phenone                  requires; C,72.59; H,7.05                        __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 28 1-Chloro-3-phenoxy-2-propanol

A mixture of phenol (94 g; 1.0 mole) and epichlorhydrin (138.8 g; 1.5 mole) was vigorously stirred at 100° C. in the presence of piperidine hydrochloride (2.0 g) for 6 hours, cooled, and the excess epichlorhydrin removed at 100° in vacuo. The residue was cooled, dissolved in an equal volume of chloroform and stirred vigorously with excess concentrated hydrochloric acid for 0.5 hours. After separatiin of the phases the organic layer was washed with water, dried and evaporated to a colourless oil. Distillation gave 116.4 g (62.5%) of 1-chloro-3-phenoxy-2-propanol of bp₀.6 112° as a GLC pure material, νmax (film) 3310, 1603, 1590, 1495, 1245 cm⁻¹ ; τ(CDCl₃); 7.40 (broad exchangeable s); 6.25 (2H, d, J 3.5 Hz); 5.90 (2H, s); 5.90 (1H, m); 3.21-2.56 (5H,m).

Similarly were prepared the compounds of Table II.

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound     m.p. or b.p. °C.                                                                 Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                       __________________________________________________________________________     29   1-Chloro-3-(2-n-propyl-                                                                     bp.sub.2.0 136-140                                                                      44                                                       phenoxy)-2-propanol                                                       30   1-(4-Acetyl-2-n-propyl-                                                                     oil      100  Found; C,61.32; H,7.01;                             phenoxy)-3-chloro-2-       Cl,14.02; C.sub.14 H.sub.19 ClO.sub.3               propanol                   requires; C,62.10; H,7.                                                        07; Cl,13.10                                   31   1-(4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-                                                                      oil      60                                                       phenoxy)-3-chloro-2-                                                           propanol                                                                  32   1-(4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-                                                                      m.p. 112-116                                                                            63   Found; C,55.90; H,6.09;                             2-methylphenoxy)-3-        Cl,13.79; C.sub.12 H.sub.15 ClO.sub.4               chloro-2-propanol          requires; C,55.71; H,5.                                                        84; Cl,13.71                                   33   1-Chloro-3-(4-Fluoro-                                                                       bp.sub.0.6 123-127                                                                      73   Found; C,58.27; H,6.8,                              2-n-propylphenoxy)-        Cl,14.39; C.sub.12 H.sub.16 ClFO.sub.2              2-propanol                 requires; C,58.42; H,6.                                                        54; Cl,14.37                                   34   1-(4-Acetyl-2-allyl-                                                                        m.p. 100-104                                                                            61   Found; C,58.78; H,6.                                3-hydrophenoxy)-3-         08; Cl,13.19; C.sub.14 H.sub.17                     chloro-2-propanol          ClO.sub.4                                                                      requires; C,59.05; H,                                                          6.02; Cl,12.45                                 35   1-(2-Allyl-3-hydroxy-                                                                       oily-solid                                                                              100  Found; C,60.17; H,6.                                4-proprionylphenoxy)-      44; Cl,12.23; C.sub.15 H.sub.19                     3-chloro-2-propanol        ClO.sub.4                                                                      requires; C,60.30; H,                                                          6.41; Cl,11.87                                 36   1-(4-Acetyl-2-ethyl-                                                                        bp.sub.1.5 220                                                                          74   Found; C,57.36; H,6.                                5-hydroxyphenoxy)-                                                                          m.p. 65       37; Cl,12.93; C.sub.13 H.sub.17                     3-chloro-2-propanol        ClO.sub.4                                                                      requires; C,57.25; H,                                                          6.28; Cl,13.00                                 37   1-(4-Carbomethoxy-                                                                          bp.sub.0.5 170-172                                                                      75   Found; C,54.30; H,5.51;                             phenoxy(-3-chloro-         Cl,14.17; C.sub.11 H.sub.13 ClO.sub.4               2-propanol                 requires; C,54.03; H,                                                          5.36; Cl 14.49                                 __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 38 3,4-Dihydro-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy)-4-iminocoumarin

To a warm stirred suspension of 3,4-dihydro-7-hydroxy-4-iminocoumarin (17.7 g; 0.1 mole) in dry DMF (75 ml) was added sodium hydride (2.4; 0.1 mole) portionwise and the mixture refluxed for 1.5 hours to complete formation of the sodium salt. A solution of 1-chloro-3-phenoxy-2-propanol (18.7 g; 0.1 mole) in dry DMF (10 mol) was added dropwise at reflux and the mixture stirred at reflux for an additional 4 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and water (200 ml) added to the residue. The yellow solid was filtered off, washed well with water and dried in vacuo over P₂ O₅ to give 30.0 g (92%) of crude product which was suitable for most purposes. Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate gave material of m.p. 213°-214°; νmax (mull) 3320, 3200, complex carbonyl region 1690-1590 cm⁻¹,. τ(DSMO); 5.82(5H, m); 5.35(2H, broad exchangeable s); 4.85(1H, s); 3.2-2.52(8H, m with 1 proton removed after D₂ O exchange); 2.02(1H, d,) (Found: C, 64.52; H, 5.26; N, 3.78; C₁₈ H₁₇ NO₅ 0.5 H₂ O requires; C, 64.28; H, 5.39; N, 4.16%). By the same procedure the compounds in Table III were prepared.

                                      TABLE III                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound     m.p. °C.                                                                               Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                 __________________________________________________________________________     39   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                           158-159        60   Found; C,64.90; H,5.54;                       hydroxy]propoxy)-3,4-            N,3.49; C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.6            dihydro-4-iminocoumarin          requires; C,65.03; H,5.                                                        18; N,3.79                               40   7-(3-[4-Acetylphenoxy]-                                                                     165-168        94   Found; C,67.59; H,5.54;                       propoxy)-3,4-dihydro-4-          N,3.92; C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.5            iminocoumarin                    requires; C,67.98; H,5.                                                        42; N,3.96                               41   3,4-Dihydro-5-methyl-                                                                       164-167        91   Found; C,69.81; H,6.12;                       7-(3-phenoxypropoxy)-            N,3.96; C.sub.19 H.sub.19 NO.sub.4            4-iminocoumarin                  requires; C,70.14; H,5.                                                        89; N,4.30                               42   7-(3-[4-Carbomethoxy-                                                                       155            100  Found; C,62.40; H,5.49;                       phenoxy]propoxy)-3,4-            N,3.39; C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.6                                             H.sub.2 O                                     dihydro-4-iminocoumarin          requires; C,62.01; H,5.                                                        46; N,3.62                               43   7-(3-[4-Carbomethoxy-            Found; C,58.98; H,5.04;                       phenoxy]-2-hydroxypro-                                                                      212-215        94   N,3.58; C.sub.20 H.sub. 19 NO.sub.7                                            H.sub.2 O                                     poxy)3,4-dihydro-4-              requires; C,59.55; H,5.                       iminocoumarin                    25; N. 3.47                              __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 44 4-Benzyloxy-7-hydroxycoumarin

A solution of 4,7-dihydroxycoumarin (1.78 g, 0.01 mole) in dry DMF (7.5 ml) was stirred during the addition of 100% sodium hydride (0.24 g, 0.01 mole) and the mixture stirred for 1 hour at 100°. A solution of benzyl chloride (1.27 g, 0.01 mole) in dry DMF (1 ml) was added dropwise and stirring continued at 100° for a further 4 hours. After removal of the solvent in vacuo water was added and the oily solid which precipitated was separated. Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 0.623 g (23%) of title compound of mp 234° νmax (mull) 3150, 3050, 1710, 1630 cm⁻¹, τ(DMSO) 4.67 (2H, s); 4.19 (1H,s); 3.28 (1H near s); 3.20 (1H, d.d., J 2.0 Hz; 5.0 Hz) 2.66-2.26 (6H, m), 1 low field broad exchangeable proton. (Found, C, 71.51; H, 4.70; C₁₆ H₁₂ O₄ requires; C , 71.63; H, 4.51%).

EXAMPLE 45 4-Benzyloxy-7-(2-[4-fluorophenyl]ethoxy) coumarin.

A mixture of 4-benzyloxy-7-hydroxycoumarin (5.36; 0.02 mole) anhydrous potassium carbonate (4.0 g) and 1-bromo-2-(4-fluorophenyl) ethane (4.06 g) in acetone (100 ml) was stirred at reflux for 20 hours and the inorganic material filtered off. Evaporation of the filtrate in vacuo gave an oil which rapidly set solid on scratching. Chloroform (200 ml) was added and the mixture filtered to remove unchanged 4-benzyloxy-7-hydroxycoumarin. Reevaporation of the filtrate afforded a white solid, 3.34 g (43%) of m.p. 120°, νmax (mull) 1715, 1675, 1620 cm⁻¹ ; τ(CDCl₃); 6.93 (2H, t, J 6.7 Hz); 5.80 (2H, t, J 6.7 Hz); 4.87 (2H,S); 4.38 (1H,); 3.29-2.49 (6H, m) 2.32 (1H, d, J 10 Hz); (Found C, 73.75 H, 5.14 C₂₄ H₁₉ FO₄ requires; C, 73.84; H, 4.91%).

EXAMPLE 46 7-(3-[4-Acetylphenyl]propoxy)-4-benzyloxycoumarin

Alkylation of 4-benzyloxy-7-hydroxycoumarin (2.68; 0.01 mole) with 1-(4-acetylphenyl)-3-bromopropane (2.41 g; 0.01 mole) as described in example 45 gave 3.28 g (77%) of title compound of m.p. (EtOH) 117° νmax (mull) 1725, 1682, 1620 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO) 7.92 (2H, m); 7.48(3H, s); 7.18 (2H, m); 5.94(2H, t, J 6.4 Hz); 6.69(2H,s); 6.16 (1H,s); 3.17-2.00(12H,m). (Found; C, 75.14; H, 5.52; C₂₁ H₂₄ O₅ requires; C, 75.68; H, 5.65%)

EXAMPLE 47 2-Hydroxy-3-n-propyl-4-(tetrahydropyran-3-yloxy) acetophenone

To a mixture of 2,4-dihydroxy-3-n-propylacetophenone (10 g) and dihydropyran (25 ml) was added three drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid. The mixture became warm and solution was attained. After standing at ambient temperature overnight, ether was added and then 2.5 N sodium hydroxide solution. The phases were separated and the aqueous phase extracted with ether. The combined organic phases were washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to an oil which was distilled to give 12.05 g (77%) of ether boiling at 152°-172° at 0.4 mm max (film) 2680 (broad) 1725, 1630, 1590, 1494 cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 48 4-Hydroxy-8-n-propyl-7-(tetrahydropyran-3-yloxy) coumarin

A solution of 2-hydroxy-3-propyl-4-(tetrehydropyran-3-yloxy) acetophenone (12.05 g; 0.043 mole) in dry benzene (100 ml) was added to a stirred suspensions of sodium hydride (2.40 g; 0.1 mole) in dry benzene (100 ml) over 30 mins. at reflux. After a further 10 mins. a solution of diethyl carbonate (10.7 g; 0.087 mole) in benzene (100 ml) was added over 1 hr. and the mixture stirred at reflux over night. Water was added to the cooled solution and the brown aqueous phase washed with ether, cooled to below 5° C. and cautiously acidified. A pale yellow solid separated which was filtered off and washed with water. Recrystallisation afforded 6.986 g (53%) of product of mp. 163°-165°, νmax (mull) 2710, 2600, 1660, 1630, 1600 cm⁻¹ τ(DMSO), 9.08 (3H, t, J 7.0 Hz); 8.34 (8H, m); 7.25 (2H, m); 6.36 (2H, broad); 4.50 (1H, sharp exchangeable s); 4.33 (1H, broad s) 2.62 (2H, AB quartet, J 9.0 Hz; 35 Hz). 1 low field broad exchangeable proton. (Found; C, 67.49; H, 6.89; C₁₇ H₂₀ O₅ requires; C, 67.09; H, 6.62%).

EXAMPLE 49 4-Benzyloxy-7-hydroxy-8-n-propylcoumarin

Sodium hydride (0.528; 10% excess) was added to a solution of 4-hydroxy-8-n-propyl-7-(tetrahydropyran-3-yloxy) coumarin (6.08 g; 0.002 mole) in dry DMF (10 ml) and the stirred mixture brought to 100°. A solution of benzyl chloride (2.76 g; 2.5 ml; 10% excess) in dry DMF (2 ml) was added over 30 min. and the mixture kept at 100°-110° for 6 hrs. After cooling the solvent was removed in vacuo and water added. The precipitated sticky solid was taken up in chloroform, washed with dilute sodium hydroxide solution then water and dried. Evaporation gave a pink solid which after recrystallisation from ethanol gave white crystals, 1.533 g (19.5%) of the tetrahydropyranyl ether of the title compound of mp 146°-147° νmax (mull) 1735, 1625, 1615 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DSMO) 9.11 (3H, t, J 7.5 Hz); 8.36 (8H, m); 7.28 (2 H, t, J 7.5 Hz); 6.44 (2H, m); 4.70 (2H, S); 4.40 (1H, S); 4.18 (1H, S); 2.94 (1H, d, J 9 Hz); 2.58 (5H, m); 2.40 (1H, d, J 9 Hz). (Found; C, 73.14; H, 6.78; C₂₄ H₂₆ O₅ requires; C, 73.08; H, 6.64%). The alkaline washings upon acidification gave a brown tar which on dissolution in ethanol deposited the title compound, 0.905 g (15%), on standing. The product had mp 213°-214°, νmax (mull) 3050 (broad); 1675, 1605, 1570 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO) 9.09 (3H, t, J 7.5 Hz); 8.46 (2H, p, J & 0.4 Hz); 7.31 (2H, t J 7.5 Hz); 4.70 (2H, s); 4.22 (1 H, S); 3.15 (1H, d, J 9 Hz); 2.56 (6H, m) 1 low field exchangeable proton. (Found; C, 73.54; H, 6.07; C₁₉ H₁₈ O₄ requires; C, 73.53; H, 5.85%).

Decomposition of the tetrahydropyranyl ether isolated from the ethereal phase with methanolic acid gave the title compound in 71% yield, and of mp 212°, after recrystallisation.

EXAMPLE 50 7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-benzyloxycoumarin

A solution of 4-benzyloxy-7-hydroxycoumarin (5.36 g; 6.02 mole) in dry DMF (30 ml) was treated with 100% sodium hydride (0.48 g; 0.02 mole) and stirred at 100° for about 1 hr. To this was added a solution of 1-(4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy)-3-chloro-2-propanol (7 g) in DMF (2 ml) and the mixture stirred at 100° for an additional 4 hrs. After removal of the solvent in vacuo, water was added and the product extracted into chloroform. Chromatography of the extract on 300 g of silica gel eluting with chloroform afforded the title compound as a white crystalline solid of R_(f) 0.38. mp (EtOH) 172°-173°. Yield 4.38 g (42%). νmax (mull) 1715; 1630; 1620 cm⁻¹. (DMSO) 9.19 (3H, t, J 7.0 Hz); 8.58 (2H, sextuplet, J. 7.0 Hz); 7.48 (3H, S+2H m); 6.71 (1H sharp exchangeable); 5.80 (5H, S); 4.68 (2H, S), 4.50 (1H, broad exchangeable); 4.13 (1H, S); 3.32 (1H, d, J 9 Hz); 3.12-2.15 (12H, m); 1 low field sharp exchangeable. (Found; C, 69.30; H, 5.80; C₃₀ H₃₀ O₈ requires; C 69.49; H, 5.83%).

By an analogous procedure, although not always necessitating chromatography, were prepared the compounds listed in Table IV.

                                      TABLE IV                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound      m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                          __________________________________________________________________________     51   4-Benzyloxy-7-(4-                                                                            146-147                                                                             62   Found; C,67.69; H,4.33; Cl,                            chlorophenoxy-          8.64; C.sub.23 H.sub.17 ClO.sub.5                      methoxy coumarin        requires; C,67.57; H,4.19                                                      Cl, 8.67                                          52   7-(2-[4-Acetyl-2-                                                                            175-176                                                                             41   Found; C,71.21; H,5.80;                                hydroxy-3-n-propyl-     C.sub.29 H.sub.28 O.sub.7                              phenoxy]ethoxy)-4-      requires; C,71.30; H,5.78                              benzyloxy-coumarin                                                        53   4-Benzyloxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                         153-155                                                                             69   Found; C,70.42; H,5.60;                                carbomethoxyphenoxy]    C.sub.27 H.sub.24 O.sub.7                              propoxy) coumarin       requires; C,70.43; H,5.25                         54   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                            190  32   Found; C,71.77; H,6.29;                                hydroxy-2-n-propyl-     C.sub.30 H.sub.30 O.sub. 7.                            phenoxy]propoxy)-4-     requires;                                              benzyloxy coumarin                                                        55   4-Benzyloxy-7-(2-hydroxy-                                                                    109-110                                                                             26   Found; C,73.04; H,6.05;                                3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]   C.sub.28 H.sub.28 O.sub.6                              coumarin                requires; C,73.04; H,6.13                         56   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                            192-195                                                                             33                                                     crude-                                                                              hydroxyphenoxy]-2-                                                             hydroxypropoxy)-4-                                                             benzyloxycoumarin                                                         57   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-n-                                                                          154  18   Found; C,71.85; H,6.05;                                propylphenoxy]-2-       C.sub.30 H.sub.30 O.sub.7                              hydroxypropoxy)-4-      requires; C,71.70; H,6.02                              benzyloxycoumarin                                                         58   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                            157  30   Found; C,67.24; H,5.44;                                hydroxy-2-methyl-       C.sub.28 H.sub.26 O.sub.8 0.5H.sub.2 O                 phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-     requires; C,67.32; H,5.45                              propoxy)-4-benzyloxy-                                                          coumarin                                                                  59   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-                                                                            195  37   Found; C,68.98; H,5.67;                                ethyl-5-hydroxy-        C.sub.29 H.sub.28 O.sub.8                              phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-     requires; C,69.04; H,5.59                              propoxy)-4-benzyloxy-                                                          coumarin                                                                  60   7-(3-[2-Allyl-3-                                                                             117  25   Found; C,70.19; H,5.54;                                hydroxy-4-propionyl-    C.sub.31 H.sub.30 O.sub.8                              phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-     requires; C,70.17; H,5.70                              propoxy)-4-benzyloxy-                                                          coumarin                                                                  61   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                            201-203                                                                             37   Found; C,68.83; H,6.04;                                hydroxy-2-n-propyl-     C.sub.31 H.sub.33 O.sub.8 O.5H.sub.2 O                 phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-     requires; C,68.61; H,6.31                              propoxy)-8-methyl-4-                                                           benzyloxycoumarin                                                         62   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy                                                                     foam 41   R.sub.f (CHCl.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2) 0.50              2-n-prop phenoxy]-2-                                                                hydroxypropoxy)-8-allyl-                                                       4-benzyloxycoumarin                                                       63   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy                                                                     foam 38   R.sub.f (CHCl.sub.3 /SiO.sub.2) 0.43              2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-                                                               hydroxypropoxy)-8-n-                                                           propyl-4-benzyloxy-                                                            coumarin                                                                  64   4-Benzyloxy-7-(2 hydroxy                                                                     m.p.                                                        3-[4-fluoro-2-n-propyl-                                                             124-126       41   Found; C,70.08; H,5.76;                                     phenoxy]propoxy)coumarin                                                                               C.sub.28 H.sub.27 FO.sub.6                                                     requires; C,70.28; H,5.69                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 65 4-Hydroxy-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

A solution of 2-hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) acetophenone (14.55 g; 0.0509 mole) in dry benzene (100 ml) was added to a stirred, refluxing suspension of 60% sodium hydride in mineral oil (4.60 g; 0.115 mole) in dry benzene (100 ml) over 30 minutes. After a further 10 minutes a solution of diethyl carbonate (12.02 g; 0.102 mole) in dry benzene (100 ml) was added over 1 hour at reflux and the solution maintained at reflux for a further 19 hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured on to iced 2 N hydrochloric acid (550 ml) and the precipitated solid filtered off and washed well with water. Recrystallisation from ethanol in the presence of charcoal gave 10.35 g (65%) of the title compound as a white solid of m.p. 190°-192° (dec); νmax (mull) 3270, 2600 (br), 1715, 1650, 1610 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO), 7.74 (2H, quintet, J 6.5 Hz); 5.80 (2H, t, J 5.5 Hz); 5.68 (2H, t, J 7.0 Hz); 4.38 (1H, s); 3.17-2.48 (7H, m); 2.20 (1H, d, J 9.0 Hz); 1 low field exchangeable proton. (Found; C, 69.22; H, 5.21; C₁₈ H₁₆ O₅ requires; C, 69.22; H, 5.16%).

The compounds listed in Table V were prepared in an analogous manner.

                                      TABLE V                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound      m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                          __________________________________________________________________________     66   4-Hydroxy-6-(2-phenyl-                                                                       189  71   Found; C,71.95; H,4.95;                                ethoxy) coumarin        C.sub.17 H.sub.14 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.33; H,5.00                         67   4-Hydroxy-7-(2-phenyl-                                                         ethoxy) coumarin                                                                             203  49   Found; C,72.34; H,4.98;                                                        C.sub.17 H.sub.14 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.33; H,5.00                         68   4-Hydroxy-6-(3-phenyl-                                                                       212  83   Found; C,73.02; H,5.62;                                propoxy) coumarin       C.sub.18 H.sub.16 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.96; H,5.44                         69   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-phenyl-                                                                       255  56   Found; C,72.77; H,5.70;                                propoxy) coumarin       C.sub.18 H.sub.16 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,72.96; H,5.44                         70   4-Hydroxy-7-(4-phenyl-                                                                       192  42   Found; C,73.53; H,5.85                                 butoxy) coumarin                                                          71   7-4-[4-Chlorophenyl]                                                                         209- 63   Found; C,66.05; H,4.95; Cl,                            butoxy)-4-hydroxy                                                                            210.5     10.46; C.sub.19 H.sub.17 ClO.sub.4                     coumarin                requires; C,66.19; H,4.97;                                                     Cl,10.28                                          72   4-Hydroxy-7-(4-[4-                                                             methylphenyl]butoxy)                                                           coumarin      198-201                                                                             57   Found; C,73.80; H,6.14;                                                        C.sub.20 H.sub.20 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C,74.07; H,6.17                         73   4-Hydroxy-6-(2-                                                                phenoxyethoxy)-                                                                              211  39   Found; C,68.67; H,4.79;                                coumarin                C.sub.17 H.sub.14 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,68.45; H,4.73                         74   4-Hydroxy-7-(2-phenoxy                                                                       2.44 39   Found; C,68.50; H,4.84;                           ethoxy) coumarin        C.sub.17 H.sub.14 O.sub.5                                                           requires; C,68.45; H,4.73                         75   4-Hydroxy-6-(3-phenoxy-                                                                      204-205                                                                             71   Found; C,69.18; H,5.35;                                propoxy) coumarin       C.sub.18 H.sub.16 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,69.22; H,5.16                         76   4-Hydroxy-7-(4-phenoxy-                                                                      194  70   Found; C,69.92; H,5.61;                                butoxy) coumarin        C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,69.93; H,5.56                         77   4-Hydroxy-6-(5-phenoxy-                                                                      163-164                                                                             40   Found; C, 66.61; H,5.83;                               pentoxy) coumarin       C.sub.20 H.sub.20 O.sub.5 H.sub.2 O                                            requires; C,67.03; H,6.19                         78   4-Hydroxy-7-(5-phenoxy-                                                                      180  49   Found; C,70.54; H,6.00;                                pentoxy) coumarin       C.sub.20 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                         79   4-Hydroxy-6-(6-phenoxy-                                                                      162-163                                                                             58   Found; C,70.37; H,6.47;                                hexoxy) coumarin        C.sub.21 H.sub.22 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,71.17; H,6.26                         80   4-Hydroxy-7-(6-phenoxy-                                                                      170  22   Found; C,69.36; H,6.12;                                exoxy) coumarin         C.sub.21 H.sub.22 O.sub.5 O.5H.sub.2 O                                         requires; C,69.41; H,6.38                         81   7-(3-[4-Chlorophenoxy]                                                                       230-234                                                                             71   Found; C,62.00; H,4.76; Cl,                            propoxy)-4-hydroxy-     10.22; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 ClO.sub.5                     coumarin                requires; C,62.35; H,4.36;                                                     Cl, 10.22                                         82   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                           209-212                                                                             69   Found; C,69.99; H,5.86;                                methylphenoxy]propoxy)  C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.5                              coumarin                requires; C,69.93; H,5.56                         83   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[3-                                                                           192  26   Found; C,69.75; H,5.62;                                methylphenoxy[propoxy)  C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.5                              coumarin                requires: C,69.93; H,5.56                         84   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[2-                                                                           203  24   Found; C,69.82; H,5.80;                                methylphenoxy]propoxy)  C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.5                              coumarin                requires; C,69.93; H,5.56                         85   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                           193-196   Found; C,66.66; H,5.52                                 methoxyphenoxy]coumarin C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.6                                                      requires; C,66.66; H,5.30                         86   7-(3-[4-Fluorophenoxy]                                                                       203-206                                                                             58   Found; C,65.67; H,4.84;                                propoxy)-4-hydroxy-     C.sub.18 H.sub.15 FO.sub.5                             coumarin                requires; C,65.45; H,4.55                         87   7-(3-[4-Cyanophenoxy]                                                                        180-184                                                                             50   Found; C,67.81; H,5.03; N,                             propoxy)-4-hydroxy-     3.92; C.sub.19 H.sub.15 NO.sub.5                       coumarin                requires; C,67.66; H,4.45; N,                                                  4.15                                              88   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                           240-242                                                                             76   Found; C,74.10; H,5.32;                                phenylphenoxy]propoxy)  C.sub.24 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                              coumarin                requires; C,74.23; H,5.15                         89   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[5,6,7,                                                                       199-201                                                                             42   Found; C,72.12; H,6.07;                                8-tetranhydro-2-        C.sub.22 H.sub.22 O.sub.5                              naphthyloxy]coumarin    requires; C,72.13; H,6.01                         90   6-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-7-(3-                                                                      233-234                                                                             73   Found; C,70.29; H,6.12;                                phenoxypropoxy)coumarin C.sub.20 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,70.58; H,5.92                         91   4-Hydroxy-7-(3-phenoxy-                                                                      149-150                                                                             95   Found; C,70.88; H,6.56;                                propoxy)-8-n-propyl     C.sub.21 H.sub.22 O.sub.5                              coumarin                requires; C,71.77; H,6.26                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 92 4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

A solution of 3,4-dihydro-7-(2-hydroxy-3-phenoxypropoxy)-4-iminocoumarin (6.5 g; 0.02 mole) in 50% w/v sulphuric acid (80 g) was stirred at 100° for 3-6 hours. The initial pale red solution precipitated a yellow solid which after cooling and dilution with water was separated by decantation. After several decantations with water the oily solid was taken up in hot ethanol, charcoaled, filtered and the filtrate gradually diluted with water. The precipitated oily solid crystallised overnight to give 2.934 of buff solid of m.p. 145°-175°. Recrystallisation from aqueous methanol gave 2.275 g (34%) of material of m.p. 181°-183°, νmax (mull) 3250, 3060, 1705, 1610 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO); 5.85 (5H, m); 4.75 (1H broad exchangeable); 4.50 (1H, sharp exchangeable singlet); 3.19-2.50 (7H, complex m); 2.22 (1H, d, J 9.0 Hz); 1 low field exchangeable singlet. (Found; C, 65.48; H, 5.19; C₁₈ H₁₆ O₆ requires; C, 65.85; H, 4.91%)

Similarly were prepared the compounds in Table VI.

                                      TABLE VI                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound      m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                          __________________________________________________________________________     93   7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                                            220-222                                                                             71   Found; C,65.02; H,5.08;                                hydroxyphenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                               C.sub.20 H.sub.18 O.sub.7                              4-hydroxycoumarin       requires; C,64.86; H,4.90                         94   7-(3-[4-Acetylphenoxy]                                                         propoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin                                                                   202-204                                                                             55   Found; C,67.39; H,5.26;                                                        C.sub.20 H.sub.18 O.sub.6                                                      requires; C,67.79; H,5.12                         95   4-hydroxy-5-methyl-7-(3-                                                                     218-219                                                                             65   Found; C,70.31; H,5.43;                                phenoxypropoxy)coumarin C.sub.19 H.sub.18 O.sub.5                                                      requires; C,69.93; H,5.56                         96   7-(3-[4-Carboxyphenoxy]                                                                      275-276                                                                             80                                                          propoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin                                                97   7-(3-[Carboxyphenoxy]-2-                                                                     169-172                                                                             95                                                          2-hydroxy-propoxy)-4-                                                                        (foams)                                                          hydroxycoumarin                                                           __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 98 7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin

Hydrogenation of 7-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-benxyloxycoumarin (3.42 g; 0.0066 mole) in DMF (60 ml) at atmospheric pressure using 10% palladinized charcoal afforded the title compound; 2.86 g as a tlc pure foam. (DMSO); 9.13 (3H, t, J 6.7 Hz); 8.59 (2H, m) 7.40 (3H, s); 7.40 (2H, m); 6.30 (1H, broad exchangeable); 5.75 (5H, s); 4.75 (1H, broad exchangeable); 4.50 (1H, exchangeable) 3.30 (1H, d, J 9.3 Hz); 3.01 (2H, m); 2.23 (1H, d, J 9.6 Hz); 2.15 (1H, d, J 9.3 Hz); 1 low field sharp exchangeable. Molecular ion at m/e 428.

By a similar procedure the examples in Table VII were prepared.

                                      TABLE VII                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound            m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                    __________________________________________________________________________      99  7-(2-[4-Fluorophenyl]ethoxy)-4-                                                                    218  50   Found; C,67.46; H,4.53; C.sub.17                                               H.sub.13 FO.sub.4                                hydroxycoumarin               requires; C,68.00; H,4.36                   100  7-(3-[4-Acetylphenyl]propoxy)-4-                                                                   205  75   Found; C,71.25; H,5.66; C.sub.20                                               H.sub.18 O.sub.5                                 hydroxycoumarin               requires; C,70,99; H,5.36                   101  7-(3-[4-Chlorophenoxymethoxy])-4-                                                                  218  95   Found; C,60.63; H,3.76; Cl,11.17;                hydroxycoumarin               C.sub.16 H.sub.11 ClO.sub.5                                                    requires; C,60.24; H,3.48; Cl,11.13         102  7-(2-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-                                                                      211- 81   Found; C,66.48; H,5.80; C.sub.22                                               H.sub.22 O.sub.7                                 propulphenoxy]ethoxy)-4-                                                                           216       requires; C,66.32; H,5.57                        hydroxy-coumarin                                                          103  7-(3-[4-Carbomethoxyphenoxy]                                                                       218  83   Found; C,64.51; H,5.08; C.sub.20                                               H.sub.18 O.sub.7                                 propoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin    requires; C,64.86; H,4.90                   104  4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-                                                                     197  89   Found; C,66.87; H,5.86; C.sub.21                                               H.sub.20 O.sub.6 O.5H.sub.2 O                    propylphenoxy]propoxy) coumarin                                                                              requires; C,66.48; H,6.11                   105  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy]-                                                                  ca205                                                                               60                                                    2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-                                                           hydroxycoumarin                                                           106  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-                                           hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin                                         107  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-methyl-                                                                 230  64   Found; C,62.78; H,5.23; C.sub.21                                               H.sub.20 O.sub.8                                 phenoxy] -2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-                                                                               requires; C,62.99; H,5.04                        hydroxycoumarin                                                           108  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-ethyl-5-hydroxy-                                                                  240  87   Found; C,63.47; H,5.50; C.sub.22                                               H.sub.22 O.sub.8                                 phenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4- requires; C,63.76; H,5.35                        hydroxycoumarin                                                           109  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[3-hydroxy-4-                                                                       89   61   Found; C,65.22; H,6.26; C.sub.24                                               H.sub.26 O.sub.8                                 propionyl-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-                                                                              requires; C,65.10; H,5.92                        hydroxypropoxy) coumarin                                                  110  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-                                                  propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-                                                                  118- 93   Found; C,62.47; H,6.16; C.sub.24                                               H.sub.26 O.sub.8 H.sub.2 O                       4-hydroxy-8-methyl coumarin                                                                        120       requires; C,62.60; H,6.13                   111  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-                                                                      foam 100                                                   propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-                                            hydroxy-8-n-propylcoumarin                                                112  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-                                                                      166  70   Found; C,66.74; H,6.03; C.sub.23                                               H.sub.24 O.sub.7                                 propylphenoxy]propoxy)4-      requires; C,66.98; H,5.86                        hydroxycoumarin                                                           113  7-(3-[4-Fluoro-2-n-propylphenoxy]-                                                                 m.p. 195                                                                            95   Found; C,65.24; H,5.77; C.sub.21                                               H.sub.21 FO.sub.6                                2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy coumarin                                                                         requires; C,64.94; H,5.45                   __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 114 7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

Fuming nitric acid (9 ml) was added to a stirred suspension of 7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxycoumarin (2.8 g) in chloroform (300 ml) over 1 hr at 0° and the dark mixture stirred for a further 0.5 hr at this temperature. Dilute hydrochloric acid (150 ml) was added and the chloroform removed in vacuo at 0°. The solid which separated was removed by filtration and recrystallised from ethanol to give 2.42 g, (78%) of yellow solid of mp 201°-203° (dec). νmax (mull) 3350 (br), 1770, 1620, 1610, 1540 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO); 9.17 (3H, t, J 6.9 Hz); 8.55 (2H, m, J ca 7 Hz); 7.43 (3H, S+2H, m); 5.78 (5H, S); 3.20 (3H, m); 2.16 (2H, exchangeable S); 2.16 (2H, near doublet); 1 low field broad exchangeable). (Found; C, 58.49; H, 5.07; N, 3.04; C₂₃ H₂₃ NO₁₀ requires; C, 58.35; H, 4.90; N, 2.96%).

The sodium salts, prepared in the usual manner, had mp 262° (dec); νmax (mull) 1720, 1620, 1605 cm⁻¹ (Found; C, 56.01; H, 4.77; N, 2.80; Na 4.73; C₂₃ H₂₂ NNaO₁₀ ; requires; C, 55.76; H, 4.48; N, 2.83; Na, 4.64%)

By a similar procedure the examples listed in Table VIII were prepared.

                                      TABLE VIII                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound          m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                      __________________________________________________________________________     115  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-6-                                                                             166  73   Found; C,62.09; H,3.86;                            (2-phenylethoxy) coumarin   N,4.35; C.sub.17 H.sub.13 NO.sub.6                                             requires; C,62.39; H,4.00;                                                     N,4.28; Sodium Salt m.p. 230°          116  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                           (2-phenylethoxy) coumrin                                                                         154  83   Found; C,62.39; H,4.12;                                                        N,4.28; C.sub.17 H.sub.13 NO.sub.6                                             requires; C,62.39; H,4.00;                                                     N,4.28                                        117  7-(2-[4-Fluorophenyl]                                                                            162  95   Found; C,58.92; H,3.69;                            ethoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-        N,4.25; C.sub.17 H.sub.12 FNO.sub.6                nitrocoumarin               requires; C,59.13; H,3.50;                                                     N,4.06                                        118  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-                                                                               137- 79   Found; C,63.38; H,4.51;                            6-(3-phenylpropoxy)                                                                              138       N,4.17; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.6                 coumarin                    requires; C,63.34; H,4.43;                                                     N,4.10; Sodium Salt; m.p.                                                      226°-227°                       119  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-                                                                               192- 73   Found; C,63.34; H,4.57;                            7-(3-phenylpropoxy)                                                                              195       N,4.31; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.6                 coumarin                    requires; C,63.34; H,4.43; N,4.10             120  7-(3-[4-Acetylphenyl]                                                                            135  70   Found; C,62.36; ; H,4.66; N,3.52;                  propoxy)-4-hydroxy-         C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.7                         3-nitrocoumarin             requires; C,62.66; H,4.47;                                                     N,3.65; Sodium Salt; m.p. 200°         121  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                             132  88   Found; C,63.98; H,4.89;                            (4-phenylbutoxy) coumarin   N,4.03; C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.6                                             requires; C,63.72; H,4.82;                                                     N,3.94                                        122  7-(4-[4-Chlorophenyl]                                                                            157- 62   Found; C,58.81; H,4.16;                            butoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-                                                                             160       N,3.91; Cl,9.00; C.sub.19 H.sub.16                                             ClNO.sub.6                                         nitrocoumarin               requires; C,58.54; H,4.14;                                                     N,3.59; Cl,9.10                               123  4-Hydroxy-7-(4-[4-                                                                               145- 88   Found; C,64.52; H,5.09;                            methylphenyl]butoxy)-3-                                                                          147       N,3.73; C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.6                 nitrocoumarin               requires; C,65.04; H,5.15;                                                     N,3.79                                        124  7-(4-Chlorophenoxymethoxy)-                                                                      130  70   Found; C,52.92; H,2.69;                            4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin   N,3.86; Cl,9.97; C.sub.16 H.sub.10                                             ClNO.sub.7                                                                     requires; C,52.83; H,2.77;                                                     N,3.85; Cl,9.75 Sodium Salt;                                                   m.p. 229°-230°                  125  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(2-                                                                          164- 45   Found; C,59.57; H,3.80;                            phenoxyethoxy) coumarin                                                                          165       N,3.86; C.sub.17 H.sub.13 NO.sub.7                                             requires; C,59.48; H,3.81;                                                     N,4.08                                        126  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(2-                                                                          188  69   Found; C,59.70; H,4.14;                            phenoxyethoxy) coumarin     N,3.72; C.sub.17 H.sub.13 NO.sub.7                                             requires; C,59.48; H,3.81;                                                     N,4.08                                        127  7-(2-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-                                                      2-n-propylphenoxy]ethoxy)-                                                     4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin                                                 128  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-6-(3-                                                                          138- 43   Found; C,60.57; H,4.31;                            phenoxypropoxy) coumarin                                                                         140       N,3.65; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.7                                             requires; C,60.51; H,4.23;                                                     N, 3.92                                       129  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-(3-                                                                          148- 82   Found; C,60.39; H,4.12;                            phenoxypropoxy) coumarin                                                                         150       N,4.01; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.7                                             requires; C,60.51; H,4.23; -    N,3.92;                                        D-N-methylglucamine salt;                                                      m.p. 130°-132°                                                   Found; C,54.19; H,5.80; N 4.82;                                                C.sub.25 H.sub.32 NO.sub.12 requires;                                          C,54.34;                                                                       H,5.84; N,5.07                                130  4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3-                                                                            134- 67   Found; C,61.49; H,4.62;                            nitro-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy)                                                                       137       N,4.11; C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.7                                             requires; C,61.45; H,4.61;                                                     N,3.77; Sodium Salt; m.p.                                                      223°-225°                       131  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                             136- 84   Found; C,63.35; H,5.54;                            (3-phenoxy-propoxy) 8-n-                                                                         137       N,3.54; C.sub.21 H.sub.21 NO.sub.7                 propylcoumarin              requires; C,63.15; H,5.30;                                                     N,3.51; Sodium Salt; m.p. 186°                                          Found; C,59.88; H,4.85;                                                        N,2.99; Na 5.90; C.sub.21 H.sub.20                                             NNaO.sub.7                                                                     requires; C,59.86; H,4.78;                                                     N,3.32; Na,5.46                               132  6-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-3-                                                                             154- 88   Found; C,62.02; H,5.08;                            nitro-7-(3-phenoxy-                                                                              155       N,3.77; C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.7                 propoxy) coumarin           requires; C,62.33; H,4.97;                                                     N,3.63; Sodium Salt; m.p.                                                      257°-258°                       133  7-(3-[4-Chlorophenoxy]                                                                           139- 72   Found; C,55.18; H,3.53;                            propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-                                                                            145       N,3.55; Cl,9.20; C.sub.18 H.sub.14                                             ClNO.sub.7                                         nitrocoumarin                                                             134  7-(3-[4-Carboxyphenoxy]                                                                          239- 55   Found; C,57.61; H,4.08;                            propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-                                                                            240       N,3.27; C.sub.19 H.sub.15 NO.sub.9                 nitrocoumarin                                                             135  7-(3-[4-Carboxymethoxy-                                                                          164- 87   Found; C,57.80; H,4.11;                            phenoxy]propoxy)-4-                                                                              168       N,3.41; C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.9                 hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin     requires; C,57.83; H,4.13;                                                     N,3.37; Sodium Salt; m.p.                                                      255°-257°                       136  7-(3-[4-Acetylphenoxy]                                                         propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-                                                                            159- 52   Found; C,60.44; H,4.67;                            nitrocoumarin     161       N,3.36; C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.8                                             requires; C,60.15; H,4.29;                                                     N,3.51                                        137  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-methyl-                                                                        183- 20   Found; C,54.97; H,4.18;                            2-nitrophenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                         185       N,6.78; C.sub.19 H.sub.16 N.sub.2                                              O.sub.9                                            3-nitrocoumarin             requires; C,54.81; H,3.87;                                                     N,6.73                                        138  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3- 199- 75   Found; C,57.55; H,4.28;                            hydroxyphenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                         200       N,3.67; C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.9                 4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin   requires; C,57.83; H,4.13; N,                                                  3.37; Sodium Salt, m.p.                                                        265°-267°                       139  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-                                                                      148  74   Found; C,60.36; H,5.13; N,                         n-propylphenoxy]propoxy)-4- 2.87; C.sub.23 H.sub.23 NO.sub.9                   hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin     requires; C,60.39; H,5.07; N,                                                  3.06; Sodium Salt; m.p. 254°           140  7-(3-[4-Carboxyphenoxy]-                                                                         220- 49   Found; C,54.34; H,3.87;                            2-hydroxy-propoxy)-4-                                                                            221       N,3.68; C.sub.19 H.sub.15 NO.sub.10                hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin     requires; C,54.68; H,3.62;                                                     N,3.36                                        141  4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-                                                                          179- 50   Found; C,57.89; H,4.05;                            3-phenoxypropoxy)-3-                                                                             180       N,3.85; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.8                 nitrocoumarin               requires; C,57.91; H,4.05;                                                     N,3.75                                        142  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2-n-                                                            propylphenoxy]-2-                                                              hydroxypropoxy)-4-hydroxy-                                                     3-nitrocoumarin                                                           143  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3- 120  49   Found; C,54.74; H,4.15; N,3.31;                    hydroxyphenoxy]2-           C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.10 0.5H.sub.2                                         O                                                  hydroxypropoxy)-4-          Requires; C,54.54; H,4.12; N,                      hydroxy-3-nitro-            3.18 Sodium salt; m.p. 235°                                             (dec)                                              coumarin                                                                  144  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3- 204  67   Found; C,55.49; H,4.64; N,                         hydroxy-2-methyl-           2.94; C.sub.21 H.sub.19 NO.sub.10 0.5                                          H.sub.2 O                                          phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-         requires; C,55.50; H,4.43; N,                      propoxy)-4-hydroxy-         3.08 Sodium salt; m.p. 185°                                             (dec)                                              3-nitrocoumarin                                                           145  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-2- 150  30   Found; C,56.36; H,4.66; N,                         ethyl-5-hydroxy-            2.99; C.sub.22 H.sub.21 NO.sub.10                                              0.5H.sub.2 O                                       phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-         requires; C,56.41; H,4.73; N,                      propoxy)-4-hydroxy-         2.99                                               3-nitrocoumarin                                                           146  6-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                              hydroxy-2-n-propyl-                                                            phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-                                                            propoxy)-4-hydroxy-                                                            3-nitrocoumarin                                                           147  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3-                                                              hydroxy-2-n-propyl-                                                            phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-                                                            propoxy)-4-hydroxy-                                                            8-methyl-3-nitro-                                                              coumarin                                                                  148  7-(3-[4-Acetyl-3- foam 98   Found; C,59.00; H,5.42; N,2.61                     hydroxy-2-n-propyl-         C.sub.26 H.sub.29 NO.sub.10.0.75H.sub.2                                        O                                                  phenoxy]-2-hydroxy-         requires; C,59.03; H,5.81; N,                      propoxy)-4-hydroxy-         2.65 Sodium Salt; foam                             3-nitro-8-n-propyl-         Found; C,57.21; H,5.61; N,2.55;                    coumarin                    Na,4.68; C.sub.26 H.sub.28 NNaO.sub.10.05                                      H.sub.2 O                                                                      Requires; C,57.14; H,5.35; N,                                                  2.56; Na,4.21                                 149  4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy-                                                                          74   83                                                      3-[3-hydroxy-4-propionyl-                                                      2-n-propylphenoxy]pro-                                                         poxy)-3-nitrocoumarin                                                     150  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                             152-154                                                                             96   Found; C,61.45; H,4.69; N,3.59;                    (4-phenoxybutoxy)-          C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.7                         coumarin                    requires; C,61.45; H,4.45; N,                                                  4.61                                                                           Sodium salt; m.p. 195°                                                  Found; C,55.80; H,4.01; N,3.33;                                                C.sub.19 H.sub.16 NNaO.sub.7                                                   requires; C,55.47; H,4.38; N,                                                  3.41; Na,5.60                                 151  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-6-                                                                             110  20   Sodium Salt; m.p. 192°                      (5-phenoxypentoxy)-                                                            coumarin                                                                  152  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                             143-145                                                                             77   Found; C,62.02; H,5.02; N,3.43;                    (5-phenoxypentoxy)-         C.sub.20 H.sub.19 NO.sub.7                         coumarin                    requires; C,62.33; H,4.87; N,                                                  3.62                                          153  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-6-                                                                             90-91                                                                               37   Found; C,62.61; H,5.45; N,3.65                     (6-phenoxyhexoxy)           C.sub.21 H.sub.21 NO.sub.7                         coumarin                    requires; C,63.15; H,5.30; N,                                                  3.51                                          154  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                             110  66   Found; C,63.18; H,5.41; N,3.27;                    (6-phenoxyhexoxy)           C.sub.21 H.sub.21 NO.sub.7                         coumarin                    requires; C,63.15; H,5.30; N,                                                  3.51                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 155 4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[2-methylphenoxy]propoxy)-3-nitrocoumarin

Sodium nitrite (0.24 g; 0.003 mole) was added in one portion to a vigorously stirred suspension of 4-hydroxy-7-(3-[2-methylphenoxy] propoxy) coumarin (1 g) in glacial acetic acid (30 ml). After 2 hrs. at ambient temperature the reddish solution was poured into water (150 ml) and the precipitated yellow solid filtered off. Recrystallisation from aqueous ethanol gave 0.815 g (70%) of yellow 3-nitro derivative of m.p. 146°; νmax (mull) 1750, 1615, 1600, 1525 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO); 7.85 (3H, S); 7.82 (2H, quintet); 5.88 (2H, t, J 7.2 Hz); 5.72 (2H, t, J 7.2 Hz); 3.23-2.73 (6H, m); 2.13 (1H, d, J 9.3 Hz); 1 sharp low field exchangeable proton. (Found; C, 61.25; H, 4.56; N, 3.58; C₁₉ H₁₇ NO₇ requires; C, 61.45; H, 4.61; N, 3.77%).

The sodium salt has m.p. 225°. (Found; C, 57.80; H, 4.38; N, 3.38; Na, 5.96; C₁₉ H₁₆ NNaO₇ requires; C, 58.02; H, 4.10; N, 3.56; Na, 5.86%).

By a similar procedure may be made the compounds of Table IX.

                                      TABLE IX                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound     m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                           __________________________________________________________________________     156  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[3-                                                                          142  64   Found; C, 61.12; H, 4.50; N, 3.67                       methylphenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                               C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.7                              3-nitrocoumarin        requires; C, 61.45; H, 4.61; N,                                                3.77                                                                           Sodium salt; m.p. 210°                                                  Found; C, 55.50; H, 4.59; N, 3.55;                                             C.sub.19 H.sub.16 NNaO.sub.7                                                   requires; C, 55.48; H, 4.41; N,                                                3.41                                               157  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                          170-172                                                                             21   Found; C, 61.83; H, 4.76; N, 3.62;                      methylphenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                               C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.7                              3-nitrocoumarin        requires; C, 61.45; H, 4.61; N,                                                3.77                                               158  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-                                                                          167-175                                                                             52   Found; C, 59.21; H, 4.82; N, 3.36;                      methoxyphenoxy]propoxy)-                                                                              C.sub.19 H.sub.17 NO.sub.8                              3-nitrocoumarin        requires; C, 58.91; H, 4.42; N,                                                3.62                                               159  7-(3-[4-Fluorophenoxy]                                                                      173-176                                                                             24   Found; C, 57.49; H, 4.10; N, 3.57;                 propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-  C.sub.18 H.sub.14 FNO.sub.7                                  nitrocoumarin          requires: C, 57.60; H, 3.73; N,                                                3.73                                               160  7-(3[4-Cyanophenoxy]-                                                                       204  40   Found; C, 59.43; H, 3.92; N, 7.04;                      propoxy)-4-hydroxy-3-  C.sub.19 H.sub.14 FNO.sub.7                             nitrocoumarin          requires; C, 59.69; H, 3.66; N,                                                7.33                                               161  4-Hydroxy-7-(3-[4-     Found; C, 66.40; H, 4.60; N, 3.14;                      phenylphenoxy]pro-     C.sub.24 H.sub.19 NO.sub.7                              poxy)-3-nitro-         requires; C, 66.51; H, 4.42; N,                         coumarin               3.23                                               162  4-Hydroxy-3-nitro-7-                                                                        127-134                                                                             40   Found; C, 63.85; H, 5.44; N, 3.10;                      (3-[5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-                                                                               C.sub.22 H.sub.21 NO.sub.7                              2-naphthyloxy]propoxy) requires; C, 64.23; H, 5.11; N,                         coumarin               3.41                                               163  4-Hydroxy-7-(2-hydroxy                                                                      125-126                                                                             87   Found; C, 60.43; H, 5.18; N, 3.62;                 3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]  C.sub.21 H.sub.21 NO.sub.8                                   propoxy)-3-nitro-      requires; C, 60.72; H, 5.10; N,                         coumarin               3.37                                               164  7-(3-[4-Fluoro-2-                                                                           m.p. 92   Found; C, 56.28; H, 4.62; N, 3.60;                      hydroxypropoxy)-4-                                                                          136-138   C.sub.21 H.sub.20 FNO.sub.8                             hydroxy-3-nitro-       requires; C, 55.88; H, 4.91; N,                         coumarin               3.10                                               __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 165 7-[2-(4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-6-nitro-2-n-propylphenoxy)ethoxy]-4-hydroxy-3-nitrocoumarin

Fuming nitric acid (9 ml; d 1.52) was added dropwise over 1 hour to a stirred suspension of 7-[2(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy)ethoxy]-4-hydroxycoumarin (1.4 g) in chloroform (200 ml) at 0° and left at this temperature for a further 1 hour. Evaporation of the solvent in vacuo afforded a dark oil which precipitated an orange solid on dilution with dilute hydrochloric acid. Repeated recrystallisation of this solid from ethanol-DMF gave 0.39 g of the title compound of mp 180°-181° (dec). (Found; C, 54.42; H, 4.39; N, 6.08; C₂₂ H₂₀ N₂ O₁₁ requires; C, 54.10; H, 4.13; N, 5.74%).

EXAMPLE 166A 7-[3-(4-Acetyl-3-hydroxy-6-nitro-2-n-propylphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-4-hydroxy-8-methyl-3-nitrocoumarin

Nitration of a suspension of 7-[3-(4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy)-2-hydroxypropoxy]-4-hydroxy-8-methylcoumarin (1.5 g) in chloroform (200 ml) as described above afforded 0.35 g of dinitro derivative of mp 127° after repeated recrystallisation from ethanol. (Found; C, 53.44; H, 4.78; N, 5.15; C₂₄ H₂₄ N₂ O₁₂, 0.5H₂ O requires; C, 53.24; H, 4.65; N, 5.17%).

EXAMPLE 166B Dimethyl 4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalate

A mixture of dimethyl 4-hydroxyphthalate (2.1 g; 0.01 mole), 1-bromo-3-phenoxypropane (2.15 g; 0.01 mole) and anhydrous potassium carbonate (1.52 g; 0.015 mole) in dry butanone (30 ml) was stirred at reflux overnight and the cooled mixture filtered. Evaporation in vacuo afforded the title compound in quantitative yield. νmax (film) 1730, 1605 cm⁻¹ ; τ(CDCl₃) 7.77 (2H, quintet, J 6.5 Hz); 6.16 (3H, s); 6.11 (3H, s); 5.86 (2H, t, J 6.5 Hz); 5.78 (2H, t, J 6.7 Hz); 3.20-2.55 (7H, m); 2.19 (1H, d, J 8.5 Hz); (Found; C, 65.98; H, 5.89; C₁₉ H₂₀ O₆ requires; C, 66.27; H, 5.85%).

Similarly were prepared the compounds of Table X.

                                      TABLE X                                      __________________________________________________________________________     EXAMPLE                                                                               COMPOUND      b.p. °C.                                                                       YIELD %                                                                              ANALYSIS                                     __________________________________________________________________________     167    Dimethyl 4-(3-phenyl-                                                                        186°-188°                                                               100   Found; C, 69.33; H, 6.04;                           propoxy) phthalate                                                                           (0.3mm)      C.sub.19 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                                                      Requires; C, 69.50; H, 6.14%                 168    Dimethyl 4-[3-(2,3,5-                                                                        234°                                                                           90    Found; C, 68.73; H, 7.02;                           treimethyl-phenoxy)propoyx]                                                                  (0.4mm)      C.sub.22 H.sub.26 O.sub.6                           phthalate                  Requires; C, 68.38; H, 6.78%                 169    Dimethyl 4-methyl-5-                                                                         196°                                                                           86    Found; C, 67.27; H, 6.39;                           (3-phenyl-propoxy)phthalate                                                                  (0.2mm)      C.sub.20 H.sub.22 O.sub.6                                         m.p. (MeOH)  Requires; C, 67.02; H, 6.19%                                      50°                                                __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 170 4-(3-Phenoxypropoxy)phthalic acid

A stirred mixture of dimethyl 4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalate (50 g; 0.145 mole), 2.5 N sodium hydroxide (570 ml) and methanol (130 ml) was heated overnight at 80° C. The clear solution was diluted with water and acidified to give the di-acid as a white crystalline solid of m.p. 155°-159° in 90% yield. Recrystallisation from water-ethanol gave material of m.p. 155°-157° (Found; C, 64.55; H, 5.36; C₁₇ H₁₆ O₆ requires; C, 64.55; H, 5.10%).

The compounds listed in Table XI were similarly prepared.

                                      TABLE XI                                     __________________________________________________________________________     EXAMPLE                                                                               COMPOUND       m.p. °C.                                                                     YIELD %                                                                              ANALYSIS                                      __________________________________________________________________________     171    4-(3-Phenylpropoxy)                                                                           158-161                                                                             100   Found; C, 68.00; H, 5.52;                            phthalic acid             C.sub.17 H.sub.16 O.sub.5                                                      Requires; C, 67.99; H, 5.37%                  172    4-[3-(2,3,5-Trimethylphenoxy)                                                                 146-147                                                                             100   Found; C, 63.91; H, 6.53;                            propoxy]phthalic acid     C.sub.20 H.sub.22 O.sub.6 H.sub.2 O                                            Requires; C, 63.82; H, 6.43%                  173    4-Methyl-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)                                                                 147-148                                                                             100   Found; C, 65.52; H, 5.52;                            phthalic acid             C.sub.18 H.sub.18 O.sub.6                                                      Requires; C, 65.45; H,                        __________________________________________________________________________                                      5.49%                                    

EXAMPLE 174 4-(3-Phenoxypropoxy)phthalic anhydride

4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalic acid (41 g; 0.134 mole) was refluxed for 30 minutes with excess acetic anhydride and the product evaporated to dryness in vacuo. Recrysta lisation of the resulting white solid from ethyl acetate afforded material of m.p. 96°-98°. (Found; C, 68.48; H, 4.75; C₁₇ H₁₄ O₅ requires; C, 68.45; H, 4.73%).

The compounds in Table XII were prepared in a similar manner.

                                      TABLE XII                                    __________________________________________________________________________     EXAMPLE                                                                               COMPOUND       m.p. °C.                                                                     YIELD %                                                                              ANALYSIS                                      __________________________________________________________________________     175    4-(3-Phenylpropoxy)                                                                           78-80                                                                               100   Found; C, 77.98; H, 4.91;                            phthalic anhydride        C.sub.17 H.sub.14 O.sub.4                                                      Requires; C, 72.33; H, 5.00%                  176    4-[3-(2,3,5-Trimethylphenoxy)                                                                 117-118                                                                             100   Found; C, 70.41; H, 6.01;                            propoxy]phthalic anhydride                                                                               C.sub.20 H.sub.20 O.sub.5                                                      Requires; C, 70.58; H, 5.92%                  177    4-Methyl-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)                                                                 135-137                                                                              91   Found; C, 69.36; H, 5.27;                            phthalic anhydride        C.sub.18 H.sub.16 O.sub.5                                                      Requires; C, 69.22; H,                        __________________________________________________________________________                                      5.16%                                    

EXAMPLE 178 3-Nitromethylene-5 and/or 6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalide

To a stirred suspension of 4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalic anhydride (13.6 g; 0.0472 mole) in dry ether (1 l) at 0° was added nitromethane (6.16 g: 0.102 mole) followed by a cold ethanolic solution of sodium ethoxide (from Na [1.06 g; 0.0472 mole] and ethanol [24 ml]). The resulting pink suspension was stirred for 6 hrs at 0° and water (250 ml) added. The aqueous phase was separated, acidified and extracted with ether. Evaporation of the dried (MgSO₄) ethereal extract in vacuo gave a yellow oil which was refluxed for 2 hrs with excess acetic anhydride to effect dehydration of the intermediate nitroacetyl benzoic acids. Evaporation of the excess anhydride afforded an oil which was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with chloroform and the yellow fraction crystallised on trituration with ethanol. Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 2.1 g (12%) of mixed phthalides of m.p. 115°-119°.

νmax (mull) 1800, 1655, 1600 cm⁻¹. (Found; C, 63.39; H, 4.71; N, 3.65; C₁₈ N₁₅ NO₆ requires; C, 63.34; H, 4.43; N, 4.10%).

Compounds 14 and 15 in Table XIII were similarly prepared. The increased yield of compound 16 was obtained by dropwise addition of base over 2 hrs to a mixture containing one-third of the quantity of anhydride; this being the preferred precedure.

                                      TABLE XIII                                   __________________________________________________________________________     EXAMPLE                                                                               COMPOUND      m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                              ANALYSIS                                       __________________________________________________________________________     179    3-Nitromethylene-5 and/or                                                                    139-141                                                                             10    Found; C, 66.44; H, 4.70; N,                          6-(3-phenylpropoxy)phthalide                                                                            4.24; C.sub.18 H.sub.15 NO.sub.5                                               Requires; C, 66.46; H, 4.65;                                                   N, 4.31%                                       180    3-Nitromethylene-5 and/or                                                                    162-164                                                                             10    Found; C, 65.75; H, 5.78; N,                          6-[3-(2,3,5-trimethyl-   3.42; C.sub.21 H.sub.21 NO.sub.6                      phenoxy)propoxy]phthalide                                                                               Requires; C, 65.79; H, 5.52;                                                   N, 3.65%                                       181    5 and/or 6-methyl-3-                                                                         152-154                                                                             37    Found; C, 64.17; H, 5.01; N,                          nitromethylene-6 and/or  3.83, C.sub.19 H.sub.12 NO.sub.6                      5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)     Requires; 64.22; H, 4.82; N,                          phthalide                3.94%                                          __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 182 2-Nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione

A solution of the mixed 3-nitromethylene-5 and/or 6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalides (1.026 g; 0.003 mole) in ethanol free chloroform (30 ml) was treated with dry triethylamine (0.42 ml) and the red solution stirred overnight. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the product partitioned between water and ether. Evaporation of the aqueous phase gave 0.889 g of triethylamine salt of the title compound as a red oil. νmax (CHCl₃) 2980, 1700, 1640, 1600 cm⁻¹ ; τ(CDCl₃), 8.72 (9H, t, J 7.2 Hz) 7.75 (2H, quintet, J 6 Hz); 6.87 (6H, quartet, J 7.2 Hz); 5.86 (2H, t, J 6 Hz); 5.75 (2H, t, J 6 Hz); 3.19-2.26 (8H, m); 1.92 (2H, broad exchangeable). A sample was converted to the sodium salt which had m.p. 218°-220° (dec.). (Found; C, 57.06; H, 4.30, N, 3.76; C₁₈ H₁₄ NNaO₆ H₂ O requires; C, 56.70; H, 4.23; N, 3.67%).

By the same procedure were prepared the compounds in Table XIV.

                                      TABLE XIV                                    __________________________________________________________________________                          m.p. °C. of                                        EXAMPLE                                                                               COMPOUND      sodium salt                                                                          YIELD %                                                                              ANALYSIS                                      __________________________________________________________________________     183    2-Nitro-5-(3-phenylpropoxy)                                                                  217° (dec)                                                                    30    Found; C, 59.36; H, 4.41;                            indan-1,3-dione           N, 3.97; C.sub.18 H.sub.14 NNaO.sub.5 .                                        H.sub.2 O                                                                      Requires; C, 59.18; H, 4.41;                                                   N, 3.83%                                      184    2-Nitro-5-[3-(2,3,5-trimethyl                                                                263°-266°                                                              78    Found; C, 61.01; H, 5.01                             phenoxy)propoxy]indan-1,3-                                                                   (dec)       N, 3.46; C.sub.21 H.sub.20 NNaO.sub.6                                          0.5H.sub.2 O                                         dione                     Requires; C, 60.87; H, 5.11                                                    N, 3.38%                                      185    5-Methyl-2-nitro-6-(3-                                                                       indefinate                                                                           45    Found; C, 59.16; H, 4.91; N,                         phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3- 3.61; Na, 5.50; C.sub.19 H.sub.16                                              NNaO.sub.6                                           dione                     0.5H.sub.2 O                                                                   Requires; C, 59.07; H, 4.44;                                                   N, 3.63; Na, 5.95%                            __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 186 5-(3-Phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione

A solution of dimethyl 4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalate (13.6 g., 0.0395 mole) in ethyl acetate (12 ml) was added to a 50% dispersion of sodium hydride in mineral oil (2.54 g) and the mixture heated at reflux for 4 hrs. After cooling, the mixture was triturated with 50% ethanol, ether and the yellow solid filtered off and added to a hot (70°-80° C.) 10% solution of hydrochloric acid (150 ml). After 2 mins a yellow oily solid separated which was isolated by decantation and taken up in acetone from which it crystallised on concentration to give 2.533 g (22%) of material of m.p. 91°-94° C., νmax (mull) 1740, 1710, 1605 cm⁻¹ ; τ(DMSO) 7.78 (2H quintet; J 6.4 Hz); 6.68 (2H, s); 5.83 (2H, t, J 6.4 Hz); 5.62 (2H, t, J 6.4 Hz); 3.21- 2.44 (7H, m); 2.12 (1H, m). (Found; C, 72.97; H, 5.61; C₁₈ H₁₆ O₄ requires; C, 72.96; H, 5.44%).

EXAMPLE 187 2-Nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)-indan-1,3-dione

A suspension of 5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)-indan-1,3-dione (0.296 gm, 0.001 mole) was suspended in dry ether (10 ml) and cooled to 0° C. The stirred mixture was treated with fuming nitric acid (1 ml) added dropwise over 15 mins and stirred in the ice bath for 1 hr. The mixture was then stirred at r.t. for a further 11/2 hrs. During this time all the solid dissolved leaving a deep yellow solution. Dilute hydrochloric acid (20 ml) was added and the ether evaporated in vacuo. A yellow gum formed which solidfied on scratching to give 0.25 gm of yellow solid which had mp 77°-79° C.(d). (73%). (Found; C, 60.71; H, 4.58; N, 3.66; C₁₈ H₁₅ NO₆.0.75H₂ O requires; C, 60.92; H, 4.69; N, 3.95%).

EXAMPLE 188 2-Cyano-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione

A mixture of dimethyl 4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)phthalate (6.5 g; 0.019 mole), acetonitrile (10 ml) and sodium hydride (0.69 g of 100%) was stirred at 100° for 6 hours and dry ether added to the cooled yellow product. The solid which separated was filtered off, dissolved in water and the solution strongly acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Filtration of the precipitated solid gave the title compound which recrystallised from ethanol dilute hydrochloric acid with mp 148°-150° (dec) and in 86% yield. (Found; C, 69.00; H, 4.90; N, 4.41; C₁₉ H₁₅ NO₄ 0.5H₂ O requires; C, 69.08; H, 4.88; N, 4.24%).

The compounds in Table XV were prepared in the same way.

                                      TABLE XV                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound     m.p. °C.                                                                      Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                          __________________________________________________________________________     189  2-Cyano-5-(2-phenylethoxy)                                                                  168° (dec)                                                                    26   Found; C, 72.08; H, 4.61; N, 4.97;                     indan-1,3-dione         C.sub.18 H.sub.13 NO.sub.3 . 0.5H.sub.2 O                                      requires; C, 71.99; H, 4.70; N, 4.67%             190  2-Cyano-5-[3-(2,3,5-tri-                                                                    191°-195°                                                              69   Found; C, 72.87; H, 5.80; N, 4.22                      methylphenoxy)propoxy]                                                                      (dec)      C.sub.22 H.sub.21 NO.sub.4                             indan-1,3-dione         requires; C, 72.71; H, 5.82; N, 3.86%                  2-Cyano-5-methyl-6-(3-                                                                      140°-143°                                                              12   Found; C, 71.58; H, 5.19; N, 3.93;                191  phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-                                                                   (dec)      C.sub.20 H.sub.17 NO.sub.4                             dione                   requires; C, 71.63; H, 5.11; N,                   __________________________________________________________________________                                  4.18%                                        

EXAMPLE 192 Methyl 2-hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) benzoate

Methyl 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate (33.6 g; 0.2 mole) and anhydrous sodium carbonate (34.8 g; 0.3 mole) in dry butanone (300 ml) were stirred at reflux during the addition of 1-bromo-3-phenoxypropane (43.0 g; 0.2 mole) in butanone (50 ml) and the mixture stirred at reflux for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled and filtered and the filtrate evaporated to a white solid. Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 38.7 g (64%) of material of mp 90°-92°, νmax (mull) 1660, 1615, 1598, 1580 cm⁻¹. (Found; C. 67.69; H, 6.22; C₁₇ H₁₈ O₅ requires; C, 67.54; H, 6.00%).

Using this procedure the compounds of Table XVI were prepared.

                                      TABLE XVI                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound      m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                          __________________________________________________________________________     193  Methyl 4-[3-(4-fluoro-                                                                       92-94                                                                               45   Found; C, 64.65; H, 6.04; C.sub.18 H.sub.19                                    FO.sub.5                                               phenoxy)propoxy]2-hydroxy                                                                              requires; C, 64.66; H, 5.73%.                     3-methylbenzoate                                                               194  Methyl 2-hydroxy-4-[3-                                                                       97-98                                                                               47   Found; C, 69.56; H, 7.34; C.sub.20 H.sub.24                                    O.sub.5                                                (2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy)-                                                                              requires; C, 69.75; H, 7.02%                           propoxy]benzoate                                                          195  Methyl 2-hydroxy-4-(3-                                                                       60-62                                                                               45   Found; C, 71.31; H, 6.34; C.sub.12 H.sub.18                                    O.sub.4                                                phenylpropoxy)benzoate  requires; C, 71.16; H, 6.45%                      __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 196 2-Hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy)benzoic acid

A mixture of methyl 2-hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) benzoate (18.55 g), methanol (40 ml) and 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide (100 ml) was stirred at 60° until a clear solution was obtained, then cooled and acidified. The precipitated solid was collected and recrystallised from cyclohexane-ethanol to give 15.09 g (85%) of acid of mp 161°. (Found; C, 66.46; H, 5.71; C₁₆ H₁₆ O₅ requires; C, 66.65; H, 5.59%).

Similarly were prepared the compounds of Table XVII.

                                      TABLE XVII                                   __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound     m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                           __________________________________________________________________________     197  4-[3-(4-Fluorophenoxy)                                                                      160-161                                                                             97   Found; C, 63.20; H, 5.21;                               propoxy]2-hydroxy-3-   C.sub.17 H.sub.17 FO.sub.5 0.25H.sub.2 O                methylbenzoic acid     requires; C, 62.86; H, 5.43%.                      198  2-Hydroxy-4-[3-(2,3,5-                                                                      181-183                                                                             48   Found; C, 68.05; H, 6.85;                               trimethylphenoxy)pro-  C.sub.19 H.sub.22 O.sub.5 0.25H.sub.2 O                 poxy]benzoic acid      requires; C, 68.14; H, 6.77%.                      199  2-Hydroxy-4-(3-phenylpro-                                                                   159-162                                                                             98   Found; C, 70.85; H, 6.04;                               poxy) benzoic acid     C.sub.16 H.sub.16 O.sub.4                                                      requires; C, 70.57; H, 5.92%.                      __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 200 2-Acetoxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) benzoic acid

A solution of 2-hydroxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) benzoic acid (13.07 g) in a 1:1 mixture of acetic acid: acetic anhydride (80 ml) was refluxed for 1.5 hours. The cooled mixture was poured into water and the precipitated product filtered off and recrystallised from ethanol to give 14.22 g (95%) of acetate of mp 130°-132°. (Found; C, 65.31; H, 5.79; C₁₈ H₁₈ O₆ requires; C, 65.45; H, 5.49%).

By this procedure those compounds in Table XVII were synthesised.

                                      TABLE XVIII                                  __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound   m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                             __________________________________________________________________________     201  2-Acetoxy-4-[3-(4-                                                                        127-129                                                                             93   Found; C, 63.21; H, 5.52; C.sub.19 H.sub.19                                    FO.sub.6                                                  fluorophenoxy)-      requires; C, 62.98; H, 5.28%                              propoxy]-3-methyl-                                                             benzoic acid                                                              202  2-Acetoxy-4-[3-(2,3,5-                                                                    140-143                                                                             93   Found; C, 68.22; H, 6.66; C.sub.21 H.sub.24                                    O.sub.6                                                   trimethylphenoxy)pro-                                                                               requires; C, 67.73; H, 6.50%                              poxy]benzoic acid                                                         203  2-Acetoxy-4-(3-phenyl-                                                                    119-122                                                                             87   Found; C, 68.69; H, 5.91; C.sub.18 H.sub.18                                    O.sub.5                                                   propoxy)benzoic acid requires; C, 68.78; H, 5.77%                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLE 204 3-Cyano-4-hydroxy-7-(3-phenoxypropoxy) coumarin

2-Acetoxy-4-(3-phenoxypropoxy) benzoic acid (13.80 g) was treated with thionyl chloride (20 ml) in dry benzene (100 ml).

The mixture was refluxed for 5 hours and the solvent and excess thionyl chloride removed under reduced pressure. The residue, a pale yellow oil, weighed 14.50 g (100%).

This acid chloride, dissolved in dry ether (75 ml) was added dropwise with stirring, to a refluxing mixture of ethyl cyanoacetate (14.92 g) in dry ether (275 ml), and sodium hydride (50%, 6.00 g). The reaction was stirred and refluxed for a further 18 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture was poured into water (500 ml) containing sodium hydroxide (2.5 g) and stirred vigorously for 1/2 hour. The aqueous layer was separated and washed with ether three times. Acidification of the aqueous solution with dilute hydrochloric acid gave a cream coloured precipitate, which was collected by filtration, washed with water and dried. Yield 12.03 mp 160°-70°. Two crystallizations from ethanol yielded the analytically pure hemiethanolate 4.88 g (36%) mp 178° (Found; C, 66.44; H, 5.31; N, 3.62 C₁₉ H₁₅ NO₅, 0.5C₂ H₅ OH requires; C, 66.65; H, 5.03; N, 3.88).

The compounds of Table XIX were similarly prepared.

                                      TABLE XIX                                    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound    m.p. °C.                                                                     Yield %                                                                             Analysis                                            __________________________________________________________________________     205  3-Cyano-7-[3-(4-                                                                           212-215                                                                             39                                                            fluorophenoxy)propoxy]-                                                        4-hydroxycoumarin                                                         206  3-Cyano-4-hydroxy-7-[3-                                                                    157-158                                                                             10   Found; C, 63.86; H, 5.74; N, 3.53;                       (2,3,5-Trimethylphenoxy)                                                                             C.sub.22 H.sub.21 NO.sub.5 . 2H.sub.2 O             propoxy]coumarin      requires; C, 63.61; H, 6.07; N, 3.37%                    207  3-Cyano-4-hydroxy-7-                                                                       214  25   Found; C, 70.76; H, 4.80; N, 4.06;                       [3-phenoxypropoxy)    C.sub.19 H.sub.15 NO.sub.4                               coumarin              requires; C, 71.02; H, 4.70; N,                     __________________________________________________________________________                                4.36%                                          

BIOLOGICAL DATA SRS-A Antogonist Activity

The compounds have been evaluated as direct antagonists of slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRS-A) by assay using the isolated guinea pig ileum.

SRS-A rat was obtained from the peritoneal cavity of the rat after passive peritoneal anaphylaxis by a method based on that of R. P. Orange, D. J. Stechschulte and K. F. Austen, J. Immunology, 105 1087 (1970) as described by B. A. Spicer, J. W. Ross and H. Smith, Clin. exp. Immunol. 1975, 21, 419. The sensitizing serum containing reaginic antibody was produced in rats as described by B. A. Spicer, et. al. ibid.

2 ml of a 1 in 5 dilution of the sensitizing serum was injected by the peritoneal route into recipient rats and after 2 hours, 5 ml of tyrode solution containing 0.4 mg/ml ovalbumin (Sigma Grade III) and 50 μg/ml heparin was injected by the same route. Five minutes after challenge the rats were stunned and bled and the peritoneal fluids collected into polycarbonate tubes in ice. After centrifugation at 150 g for 5 minutes the supernatants were combined, heated in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes, cooled and stored at -20° C. The combined peritioneal fluids contained SRS-A and were used in the antagonism studies.

The SRS-A assays were carried out on isolated strips of guinea pigs ileum in tyrode solution containing atropine 5×10⁻⁷ M and mepyramine 10⁻⁶ M as described by W. E. Brocklehurst, J. Physiology, 151, 416 (1960).

The activity of the antagonists was determined by their ability to reduce submaximal responses induced by SRS-A. The antagonists were added to a 4 ml bath in 0.1 ml volumes in aqueous solution half a minute before the addition of SRS-A and were present during induced contraction. Two or three concentrations of antagonists were used and the percentage inhibition of the SRS-A response plotted against the bath concentration of antagonist. The line of best fit was drawn and the concentration to cause 50% inhibition IC₅₀ read graphically.

Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis

Serum containing heat labile homocytotropic antibody was raised in rats to crystallized ovalbumin XOA by the method of Mota (I. Mota, Immunology, 7,681 (1964)) using Bordettela pertussis vaccine as adjuvant.

Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) was carried out by a method based on that of Ovary and Bier (A. Ovary and O. G. Bier, Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med 81, 584, (1952)) as modified by Goose and Blair.

Male Wistar rats of 250-300 g were given 0.1 ml of each of six twofold serial dilutions of pooled antiserum in 0.9% saline injected intradermally into separate sites on their shaved backs. Later (72 hr) the animals were challenged by intravenous injection of 0.3 ml of a 1% solution of ovalbumin in an isotonic solution of saline buffered with 0.5 M, pH 7.2, Sorenson Buffer (PBS), mixed with 0.2 ml of a 5% solution of Pontamine Sky Blue (6BX C.I. 24410, Raymond A. Lamb, London) in isotonic saline. The rats were killed after 20 min and the diameter of the blue wheals at the antibody injection sites was measured on the outer surface of the skin. The starting dilution of the serum was adjusted so that there was no response, after challenge, at the injection site of the highest dilution and a maximum response at the lowest dilutions. Typically six twofold serial dilutions of the serum from 1/4 to 1/128 were used.

Compounds were tested for their ability to reduce the diameter of the wheals at those intradermal sites which in control animals gave less than maximum response. Each dose of the compound was administered intravenously to six rats in isotonic saline, adjusted to pH7 with sodium bicarbonate if necessary (2 ml/kg body weight) just before intravenous challenge with ovalbumin. Control groups of six animals were given the same volume of carrier fluid at the same time.

The results were calculated as follows. % inhibition of PCA=100 (1-a/b) where a=the sum of the diameters of the wheals produced in the test animal at the sites of antibody dilutions as used in control groups and b=the mean sum of the diameters of the wheals produced in the control group of animals at those antibody sites where at least five out of six of the animals gave less than maximum response. A typical variation in the control group of animals was SEN±6%.

The dose of the compound required to inhibit the PCA response by 50% was obtained from the log dose-response curve.

    __________________________________________________________________________     BIOLOGICAL RESULTS                                                                                                      SRS-A antagonism on                                                            Guinea Pig Ileum                                                               Approximate concen-                                                                        Rat PCA                                                            tration to give                                                                            Dose given i.v.                                                    inhibition of a                                                                            to effect a 50%                                                    than maximal                                                                               inhibition of             Example                                                                             Formula                             response to SRS-A                                                                          the PCA                   __________________________________________________________________________                                                          response                  114                                                                                  ##STR23##                          10.sup.-8 M <1 mg/Kg                  115                                                                                  ##STR24##                          10.sup.-5 M >2 mg/Kg                  116                                                                                  ##STR25##                          10.sup.-6 M <1 mg/Kg                  117                                                                                  ##STR26##                          10.sup.-5 -10.sup.-6 M                                                                      1 mg/Kg                  118                                                                                  ##STR27##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  119                                                                                  ##STR28##                          10.sup.-6 M ca 2 mg/Kg                120                                                                                  ##STR29##                          10.sup.-6 M ca 2 mg/Kg                121                                                                                  ##STR30##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  122                                                                                  ##STR31##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  123                                                                                  ##STR32##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  124                                                                                  ##STR33##                                      >2 mg/Kg                  125                                                                                  ##STR34##                          10.sup.-5 M >2 mg/Kg                  126                                                                                  ##STR35##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  127                                                                                  ##STR36##                                      ca 2 mg/Kg                128                                                                                  ##STR37##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  129                                                                                  ##STR38##                          10.sup.-6 M < 1 mg/Kg                 130                                                                                  ##STR39##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  131                                                                                  ##STR40##                          10.sup.-6 M <1 mg/Kg                  132                                                                                  ##STR41##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  133                                                                                  ##STR42##                          10.sup.-6 M <1 mg/Kg                  134                                                                                  ##STR43##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  135                                                                                  ##STR44##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  136                                                                                  ##STR45##                          10.sup.-6 M <1 mg/Kg                  137                                                                                  ##STR46##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  138                                                                                  ##STR47##                          10.sup.-6 M ca 2 mg/Kg                139                                                                                  ##STR48##                          10.sup.-7 M                           140                                                                                  ##STR49##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  141                                                                                  ##STR50##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  142                                                                                  ##STR51##                          10.sup.-6 -10.sup.-7 M                                                                     <1 mg/Kg                  143                                                                                  ##STR52##                          10.sup.-5 M <2 mg/Kg                  144                                                                                  ##STR53##                          10.sup.-7 M  2 mg/Kg                  145                                                                                  ##STR54##                          1-.sup.-6 M  2 mg/Kg                  146                                                                                  ##STR55##                                                                147                                                                                  ##STR56##                          10.sup.-8   <2 mg/Kg                  148                                                                                  ##STR57##                          10.sup.-7 M <1 mg/Kg                  149                                                                                  ##STR58##                                       2 mg/Kg                  150                                                                                  ##STR59##                          10.sup.-6 M ca 1 mg/Kg                151                                                                                  ##STR60##                          10.sup.-6 M >2 mg/Kg                  152                                                                                  ##STR61##                          10.sup.-6 M  2 mg/Kg                  153                                                                                  ##STR62##                          10.sup.-7 M >2 mg/Kg                  154                                                                                  ##STR63##                          10.sup.-5 M 1-2 mg/Kg                 155                                                                                  ##STR64##                          10.sup.-7 M 1-2 mg/Kg                 156                                                                                  ##STR65##                          10.sup.-6 M <2 mg/Kg                  157                                                                                  ##STR66##                          10.sup.-6 M <2 mg/Kg                  158                                                                                  ##STR67##                          10.sup.-6 M <2 mg/Kg                  159                                                                                  ##STR68##                          10.sup.-7 M <1 mg/Kg                  160                                                                                  ##STR69##                          10.sup.-5 M <1 mg/Kg                  161                                                                                  ##STR70##                          10.sup.-5 M                           162                                                                                  ##STR71##                          10.sup.-5 M >2 mg/Kg                  163                                                                                  ##STR72##                          10.sup.-7 M <1 mg/Kg                  164                                                                                  ##STR73##                          10.sup.-7    1 mg/Kg                  165                                                   1 mg/Kg                  166                                      10.sup.-7   <1                        __________________________________________________________________________                                                          mg/Kg                

    ______________________________________                                         Biological Results                                                                       SRS-A antagonism on                                                            Guinea Pig ileum Rat PCA                                                       Approximate concentration                                                                       Dose given i.v. to                                            to give 50% inhibition of                                                                       effect a 50%                                                  a less than maximal                                                                             inhibition of PCA                                   Example No.                                                                              response to SRS-A                                                                               response                                            ______________________________________                                         182       10.sup.-7        <1 mg/kg                                            sodium salt                                                                    183       10.sup.-5 -10.sup.-6                                                                            <1 mg/kg                                            184       10.sup.-6        1 mg/kg                                             185       10.sup.-6                                                            188       10.sup.-6        >2 mg/kg                                            189       10.sup.-6                                                            204       10.sup.-6        2 mg/kg                                             ______________________________________                                     

What we claim is:
 1. A compound of the formula (I): ##STR74## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein one of A₁ or A₂ is a group of the formula (II) ##STR75## and R₁, R₂ and the one of A₁, or A₂ which is not a group of the formula (II) are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyl or lower alkynyl; provided that at least one of R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ is hydrogen, E is a covalent bond; G is nitro or cyano; X is oxygen; and Q is alkylene of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 methylene group within the group Q, other than a methylene covalently bound to an ether oxygen, being unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, and R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, cyano, carboxyl, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy carbonyl, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or benzyloxycarbonyl.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁, R₂ and A₁ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and A₂ is a substituent of the formula (II).
 3. A compound according to claim 2 wherein one of R₃ to R₇ is hydrogen.
 4. A compound according to claim 2 wherein two of R₃ to R₇ are hydrogen.
 5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, cyano, carboxyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, or mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, R₄ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy or lower alkoxy carbonyl, and R₅ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and R₆ and R₇ are both hydrogen.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₃ is lower alkyl and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 7. A compound according to claim 6 wherein R₃ is methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.
 8. A compound according to claim 7 wherein R₃ is n-propyl at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₃ is fluorine and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 10. A compound according to claim 9 wherein R₃ is fluorine at 4' at the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 11. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₃ is fluorine, R₄ is lower alkyl, and R₅ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 12. A compound according to claim 11 wherein R₄ is n-propyl.
 13. A compound according to claim 12 wherein R₃ is at position 4' and R₄ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 14. A compound according to claim 5 wherein R₃ is lower alkanoyl, R₄ is hydroxy, R₅ is lower alkyl, R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen.
 15. A compound according to claim 14 wherein R₃ is at position 3', R₄ is at position 4' and R₅ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 16. A compound according to claim 15 wherein R₃ is acetyl and R₅ is n-propyl.
 17. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R₁ and R₂ and the one of A₁ and A₂ which is not a substituent of formula (II) are each hydrogen.
 18. A compound according to claim 17 wherein R₃ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 19. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q represents ethylene.
 20. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q represents ethylene, propylene, butylene or pentylene.
 21. A compound according to claim 20 where one methylene group other than a methylene bound to an ether oxygen is substituted with hydroxyl.
 22. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is methylene or ethylene.
 23. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is propylene, butylene, pentylene or hexylene.
 24. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is propylene substituted by hydroxyl, butylene substituted by hydroxyl, pentylene substituted by hydroxyl or hexylene substituted by hydroxyl.
 25. A compound according to claim 1 wherein Q is 2-hydroxypropylene.
 26. A compound according to claim 1 wherein G is nitro.
 27. A compound according to claim 26 selected from the group consisting of:2-nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-phenoxyethoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(5-phenoxypentoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(4-chlorophenylmethoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 28. 5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.
 29. 5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.
 30. A compound according to claim 1 wherein G is cyano.
 31. A compound according to claim 30 selected from the group consisting of:2-cyano-5-(3-[2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy]propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-cyano-5-methyl-6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-cyano-1,3-dione,and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 32. The N-methyl-D-glucamine salt of the compound according to claim
 29. 33. A pharmaceutical composition useful for the inhibition in humans of the release of mediators of allergic response and for the inhibition in humans of the action of said mediators which comprises an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I): ##STR76## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein one of A₁ or A₂ is a group of the formula (II): ##STR77## and R₁, R₂ and the one of A₁ or A₂ which is not a group of the formula (II) are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyl or lower alkynyl; provided that at least one of R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ is hydrogen, E is a covalent bond; G is nitro or cyano; X is oxygen; and Q is alkylene of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 methylene group within the group Q, other than a methylene covalently bound to an ether oxygen, being unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, and R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, cyano, carboxyl, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy carbonyl, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or benzyloxycarbonyl in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 34. A composition according to claim 33 wherein R₁, R₂ and A₁ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and A₂ is a substituent of the formula (II).
 35. A composition according to claim 34 wherein one of R₃ to R₇ is hydrogen.
 36. A composition according to claim 34 wherein two of R₃ to R₇ are hydrogen.
 37. A composition according to claim 36 wherein R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, cyano, carboxyl, halogen, nitro, amino, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, or mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, R₄ is hydrogen, loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy or lower alkoxy carbonyl, and R₅ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and R₆ and R₇ are both hydrogen.
 38. A composition according to claim 33 wherein R₃ is lower alkyl and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 39. A composition according to claim 38 wherein R₃ is methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.
 40. A composition according to claim 39 wherein R₃ is n-propyl at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 41. A composition according to claim 33 wherein R₃ is fluorine and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 42. A composition according to claim 41 wherein R₃ is flourine at 4' at the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 43. A composition according to claim 33 wherein R₃ is fluorine, R₄ is lower alkyl, and R₅ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 44. A composition according to claim 43 wherein R₄ is n-propyl.
 45. A composition according to claim 44 wherein R₃ is at position 4' and R₄ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 46. A composition according to claim 36 wherein R₃ is lower alkanoyl, R₄ is hydroxy, R₅ is lower alkyl, R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen.
 47. A composition according to claim 46 wherein R₃ is at position 3', R₄ is at position 4' and R₅ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 48. A composition according to claim 47 wherein R₃ is acetyl and R₅ is n-propyl.
 49. A composition according to claim 33 wherein R₁ and R₂ and the one of A₁ and A₂ which is not a substituent of formula (II) are each hydrogen.
 50. A composition according to claim 49 wherein R₃ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 51. A composition according to claim 33 wherein Q represents ethylene.
 52. A composition according to claim 33 wherein Q represents ethylene, propylene, butylene or pentylene.
 53. A composition according to claim 52 where one methylene group other than a methylene bound to an ether oxygen is substituted with hydroxyl.
 54. A composition according to claim 53 wherein Q is methylene or ethylene.
 55. A composition according to claim 33 wherein Q is propylene, butylene, pentylene or hexylene.
 56. A composition according to claim 55 wherein Q is propylene substituted by hydroxyl, butylene substituted by hydroxyl, pentylene substituted by hydroxyl or hexylene substituted by hydroxyl.
 57. A composition according to claim 56 wherein Q is 2-hydroxypropylene.
 58. A composition according to claim 57 comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of:2-nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-phenoxyethoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(5-phenoxypentoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(4-chlorophenylmethoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 59. A composition according to claim 57 comprising a compound:5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.
 60. A composition according to claim 57 comprising:5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione
 61. A composition according to claim 1 selected from the group consisting of:2-cyano-5-(3-[2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy]propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-cyano-5-methyl-6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-cyano-1,3-dione,and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 62. A composition according to claim 33 in the form of a microfine powder suitable for administration by insufflation.
 63. A composition according to claim 33 in a form suitable for administration by injection.
 64. A composition according to claim 33 in the form of an ointment cream or lotion for topical application.
 65. A composition according to claim 33 in a form suitable for oral administration.
 66. A method of inhibiting mediators of allergic response in humans and for inhibiting in humans the action of said mediators which comprises administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I): ##STR78## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein one of A₁ A₂ is a group of the formula (II): ##STR79## and R₁, R₂ and the one of A₁ or A₂ which is not a group of the formula (II) are the same or different and each is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkenyl or lower alkynyl; provided that at least one of R₁, R₂, A₁ and A₂ is hydrogen, E is a covalent bond; G is nitro or cyano; X is oxygen; and Q is alkylene of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, 1 methylene group within the group Q, other than a methylene covalently bound to an ether oxygen, being unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxyl, and R₃, R₄, R₅, R₆ and R₇ are each hydrogen, halogen, nitro, hydroxy, cyano, carboxyl, amino, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkoxy carbonyl, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, phenoxycarbonyl, or benzyloxycarbonyl, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 67. A method according to claim 66 wherein R₁, R₂ and A₁ are the same or different and each is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and A₂ is a substituent of the formula (II).
 68. A method according to claim 67 wherein one of R₃ to R₇ is hydrogen.
 69. A method according to claim 67 wherein two of R₃ to R₇ are hydrogen.
 70. A method according to claim 69 wherein R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, phenyl, cyano, carboxyl, halogen, nitro amino, mono- or di-lower alkyl amino, or mono- or di-lower alkanoyl amino, R₄ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy or lower alkoxy carbonyl, and R₅ is hydrogen or lower alkyl; and R₆ and R₇ are both hydrogen.
 71. A method according to claim 66 wherein R₃ is lower alkyl and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 72. A method according to claim 71 wherein R₃ is methyl, ethyl or n-propyl.
 73. A method according to claim 72 wherein R₃ is n-propyl at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 74. A method according to claim 66 wherein R₃ is fluorine and R₄ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 75. A method according to claim 74 wherein R₃ is flourine at 4' at the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 76. A method according to claim 66 wherein R₃ is fluorine, R₄ is lower alkyl, and R₅ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 77. A method according to claim 76 wherein R₄ is n-propyl.
 78. A method according to claim 77 wherein R₃ is at position 4' and R₄ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 79. A method according to claim 69 wherein R₃ is lower alkanoyl, R₄ is hydroxy, R₅ is lower alkyl, R₆ and R₇ are hydrogen.
 80. A method according to claim 79 wherein R₃ is at position 3', R₄ is at position 4' and R₅ is at position 2' of the phenyl ring of substituent (II).
 81. A method according to claim 80 wherein R₃ is acetyl and R₅ is n-propyl.
 82. A method according to claim 66 wherein R₁ and R₂ and the one of A₁ and A₂ which is not a substituent of formula (II) are each hydrogen.
 83. A method according to claim 82 wherein R₃ to R₇ are all hydrogen.
 84. A method according to claim 66 wherein Q represents ethylene.
 85. A method according to claim 66 wherein Q represents ethylene, propylene, butylene or pentylene.
 86. A method according to claim 85 where one methylene group other than a methylene bound to an ether oxygen is substituted with hydroxyl.
 87. A method according to claim 86 wherein Q is methylene or ethylene.
 88. A method according to claim 67 wherein Q is propylene, butylene, pentylene or hexylene.
 89. A method according to claim 88 wherein Q is propylene substituted by hydroxyl, butylene substituted by hydroxyl, pentylene substituted by hydroxyl or hexylene substituted by hydroxyl.
 90. A method according to claim 89 wherein Q is 2-hydroxypropylene.
 91. A method according to claim 90 which comprises administering a compound selected from the group consisting of:2-nitro-5-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-phenoxyethoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(5-phenoxypentoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(4-chlorophenylmethoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-indan-1,3-dione, 2-nitro-5-(2-hydroxy-3-[2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 92. A method according to claim 67 which comprises administering a compound:5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.
 93. A method according to claim 67 which comprises administering a compound:5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-propoxy)-2-nitroindan-1,3-dione.
 94. A method according to claim 93 which comprises administering a compound selected from the group consisting of:2-cyano-5-(3-[2,3,5-trimethylphenoxy]propoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 2-cyano-5-methyl-6-(3-phenoxypropoxy)indan-1,3-dione, 5-(3-[4-acetyl-3-hydroxy-2-n-propylphenoxy]-2-hydroxypropoxy)-2-cyano-1,3-dioneand the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 95. A method according to claim 66 wherein the administration is by insufflation.
 96. A method according to claim 66 wherein administration is by injection.
 97. A method according to claim 66 wherein administration is topical.
 98. A method according to claim 66 wherein administration is oral. 